News From Around the Basin – Sept. 17, 2026

Potomac News Reservoir – Sept. 17, 2026 >>>

The Week’s River Report: Back in Drought Monitoring

Due to low flows in the Potomac River, ICPRB initiated daily drought monitoring earlier this week.

ICPRB’s daily Drought Monitoring begins when flow at the USGS stream gage at Point of Rocks, Maryland, falls below 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).

When in active Drought Monitoring, we send daily email reports to stakeholders summarizing the river’s flow, weather, and  water demand conditions.

A summary of the reports will be posted on social media using #droughtmonitoring.

Today’s Drought Monitoring Report

🌊 Flow at the USGS Point of Rocks gage is 1760 cfs, which is roughly between the 25th percentile and the median for this time of year.

🗺️ The U.S. Drought Monitor map released this morning remains consistent with last week’s data, with 33% of the basin in Moderate Drought conditions and 43% abnormally dry.

☀️ No rain fell in the basin over the past 24 hours.

🔮 The next 24 hours may see 0.1-0.5 inches of rain. The week-long outlook is 1-2 inches of rain in the basin. (MARFC)

The River’s Ups and Downs

We just started seeing bigger daily fluctuations in the the river’s flow at the Point of Rocks gage. This is due to upstream hydroelectric dam operations designed to protect American eels.

The dams are turned off nightly from mid-September to mid-December during the annual American eel migration downstream. This keeps the slippery fish from getting caught in dam machinery as they make their way to sea to spawn. As a result, the flows downstream show daily fluctuations. Water resources experts, like ICPRB, are aware of these predicable fluctuations and include them in their planning calculations.

Want to know more? Learn about ICPRB’s work with American eels or check out our webinar on their fascinating historical and ecological importance and how they impact water quality.

Congratulations, Jamie!

Last week Jamie Bain Hedges of Fairfax Water (retired) was honored with the ICPRB Signature Award for Excellence in Water Supply Stewardship at the 2026 Potomac River Conference. This award recognizes a person that has made a positive and lasting basin-wide impact with respect to the theme of this year’s conference: the future of water supply in the Potomac River basin.

“Jamie has been a leader in providing clean and abundant drinking water to the customers of Fairfax Water as well as a key player in the managing of the water resources for the entire DC area,” said ICPRB Executive Director Michael Nardolilli.

Bain Hedges, who recently retired from Fairfax Water, joined the organization in 1989 and rose through key leadership roles, eventually becoming the first woman to serve as General Manager in 2021. Hedges engineering expertise and steady leadership have made a lasting impact on Fairfax Water and the region, especially through her work to protect our region’s drinking water sources and ensure they remain safe and dependable for generations to come.

WSSC Water, the conference’s premier sponsor, represented by Dr. Priscilla To, presented Bain Hedges with the award. “There is no one more deserving of this award than Jamie,” said Dr. To. “Through her steady leadership, coalition-building, and commitment to public service, she is an inspiration to all of us working towards a more resilient water supply in the metropolitan region.”

“This recognition was especially meaningful to me, given the many dedicated individuals who have worked tirelessly to protect and preserve the Potomac River,” said Bain Hedges about the award. “The challenges facing the Potomac River are increasingly complex and addressing them will require the continued commitment and collaboration of everyone who cares deeply about the river and its future.”

We would like to acknowledge Ms. Bain Hedges for her many years of service at Fairfax Water and salute her in retirement.

We’re Back with More Expert-led Walks

Please join us on select Saturdays in September, October and November for a FREE Walk in the Woods with experts from all around the Potomac watershed!

Contact us for more information