The August Water Supply Outlook shows improvement from earlier in the summer. Here is the summary:

There is a near-normal probability of releases from the Washington metropolitan area’s back-up water supply reservoirs for the 2026 summer and fall seasons. Typically, the use of the Jennings Randolph and Little Seneca reservoirs is triggered by low river flows resulting from a combination of low summer precipitation and low groundwater levels. The Potomac basin upstream of Washington, D.C., received 3.9 inches of precipitation in July, 0.1 inches above average; as of August 1, the 12-month cumulative total was 29.2 inches, 10.9 inches below average. Groundwater conditions are generally near normal basin-wide, though above- and below-normal readings occur at individual wells. Recent rainfall has increased Potomac River streamflow, prompting ICPRB to suspend daily drought monitoring on August 9 after initiating it on August 3 in response to declining flows.

Drought conditions remain across portions of the basin: as of August 4, about 18 percent was in severe drought (D2), 54 percent in moderate drought (D1), and 22 percent abnormally dry (D0), with no area in extreme drought (D3). The Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal outlook indicates drought conditions across much of the Mid-Atlantic should improve or be removed by the end of October. A Drought Watch for the metropolitan Washington region remains in effect. Reservoirs remain near full.

At present, Potomac River flow is sufficient to meet metropolitan area water demands without upstream reservoir augmentation. The region remains well protected by established contingency plans should conditions worsen.

See the Water Supply Outlook page for the full report >>>