The River Report – December rain is already above average, but is it enough?
Recent rain brought us 0.5 inches above our typical amount for this time in December. We are still a significant 7.2 inches below average for the past 12 months.
River levels are increasing. The flow is still below the 50th percentile. With fingers crossed it will stay above our drought monitoring threshold through the holidays.
On Monday, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality expanded the number of counties under drought watch advisory to 64, up from 55 a couple weeks earlier.
According to the recent U.S. Drought Monitor report, 89% of the basin is experiencing drought conditions. On the positive side, the area in “Severe Drought” has decreased since the previous report.
Some areas, but not all, are downgrading from mandatory to voluntary water restrictions. This jurisdiction-specific approach is sometimes due to the state of their water source or a planning document agreement.
WEBINAR: Agricultural Impacts on Water Quality and Funding Opportunities to Mitigate Those Impacts
Join ICPRB at noon on January 19 for our first webinar of 2024!
The webinar focuses on agricultural impacts on water quality in the Potomac basin and funding opportunities to mitigate these effects. Olivia Devereux, M.S. of Devereux Consulting will share water quality impacts from agriculture in the Potomac basin. Mark Masters and Annica McGuirk of the the National Association of Conservation Districts will share regional funding sources for agricultural practices. Pam Kenel of Loudoun Water will be moderating.
We are hiring for summer internship positions
ICPRB has openings for two interns for the spring and summer semesters of 2024. These are paid, part-time, temporary positions with flexible working hours. Applications are encouraged from any undergraduate juniors or seniors majoring in a relevant environmental science or engineering field and graduate students majoring in environmental science, environmental engineering, water resources or a related field. Applications are due by January 12, 2024.
Click here to learn more about the positions > > >
Do you fish in D.C. Waters?
The District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) will be publishing a weekly fishing report starting in the new year. They are on the look out for anglers who would like provide information about fishing conditions in the District. If interested, please contact Dillon Waters at DOEE. Additionally, you can submit fishing photos from the District to fishandwildlife.photos@dc.gov. A link to signup to receive the newsletter will be included in the Potomac News Reservoir as soon as it is available.