Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Newsletter — July 30, 2026 >>>
The Week’s River Report
🗺️ Today’s U.S. Drought Monitor map shows slight improvement over last week, with less of the region in Severe Drought conditions. By the numbers:
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15% Abnormally Dry
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61% Moderate Drought
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18% Severe Drought
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1% Extreme Drought
🌊 Flow at the USGS Point of Rocks gage have been fluctuating lately but is currently at 2,350 cubic feet per second, which is slightly above the 25th percentile.
🏜️ We’ve received 30 inches of rain for the past calendar year, which is 10.4 inches below average (MARFC).
☔ Up to 1.5 inches of rain is expected over the next week (NOAA).
Water-themed week in the news
The news outlet Greater Greater Washington is highlighting the importance of the region’s waterways this week. They started with a piece by ICPRB Commissioner Darryl Madden on How DC is reclaiming its waterfront identity and then shared insights on How governments, advocates, and eels affect the Washington region’s water by ICPRB’s Director of Communications Renee Bourassa.
We’re happy to see waterways getting the attention they deserve!
Volunteer opportunities
If today’s beautiful weather has you wanting to get outside, there are plenty of river clean ups coming up:
- A boat-optional clean up event at Oxon Cove on August 7 with the Potomac Riverkeeper Network.
- Bladensburg Waterfront Park, Fort Foote Park, and Turkey Run Park are on the calendar for the Potomac Conservancy.