The River Report – No Water Supply Outlook for January
Things are turning around.
The river’s flow is looking up. Flows are no longer following the trend of pre-drought years and the NWS Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center is predicting additional heavy rain next week.
As of December 19th, the basin received 2.9 inches of rain, which exceeds the average by 1.1 inches for the month. Nevertheless, there is still a substantial 8.1-inch deficit for the year.
The extreme drought (D3) coverage cleared up in late November and conditions seem to be improving. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports recent rainfall reduced Potomac basin drought coverage from 89% on December 12 to 73% a week later. The Shenandoah area maintains a 15% severe drought (D2) status, but the rest of the basin improved, with moderate drought (D1) dropping from 41% to 27% in a week. The remaining basin area is roughly 30% abnormally dry (D0), but these boundaries are receding from the lower basin and Pennsylvania regions, returning them to normal conditions.
After releasing a Water Supply Outlook in November and December, ICPRB’s CO-OP staff have decided the monthly report will return to its normal schedule next year. Unless conditions deteriorate, the report will be released monthly from April through October, 2024.
ICPRB Commissioners Approve DEIJ Statement
Diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (referred to collectively as DEIJ) has been an ongoing journey at ICPRB. It has been a learning process to which we have committed ourselves in order to better serve and represent all residents of the Potomac basin.
At last week’s quarterly meeting, ICPRB Commissioners officially approved a policy statement on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. Special thanks goes to the DEIJ Committee of the Commissioners for their work on this statement, which will guide all aspects of our work.
Find the DEIJ statement on our website > > >
Join our team! ICPRB is hiring for two positions:
- Water Resources Spring/Summer Internships (closes January 12)
- Habitat and Living Resources Data Manager (closes January 10)