After less than a week of daily reports, ICPRB is suspending Drought Monitoring as flow at the USGS gage at Point of Rocks has exceeded the daily threshold of 2000 cubic feet per second (cfs). It is predicted flows will stay above this threshold for at least the next 5 days.
It’s dry. While the low humidity might feel pretty good, our river and groundwater levels are suffering. ICPRB has initiated daily Drought Monitoring. A Drought Warning has been declared for much of Northern Virginia. The flow at Little Falls (see the graph) is between the minimum in recorded history and the 10th percentile.
We had a good winter as far as rain was concerned. Things were looking up after a dry 2023. However, we are now 58% below average for the past 30 days. The lack of rain combined with the high temperatures has created a flash drought situation.
ICPRB and our partners across the watershed are monitoring the situation. When flow of the Potomac River at the Point of Rocks USGS gage dips below 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), the staff at ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) initiates daily drought monitoring. This means that CO-OP staff prepare a daily report with flow, water demand, and weather forecasts on behalf of the CO-OP water suppliers: Fairfax Water, Washington Aqueduct, and WSSC Water. This is a requirement of the Water Supply Coordination Agreement of 1982, which is a pivotal planning document that helps ensure the DC Metro area is well prepared during a drought.
Follow the conversation across social media platforms using #droughtmonitoring.
There is a little rain in the forecast, but even if we get some rain, grass and other vegetation will still be dry. Firefighters are encouraging everyone to be safe and smart when it comes to their 4th of July celebrations. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave it to the professionals, but if you are going to have your own rocket show, celebrate responsibly:
🌾 Avoid setting off fireworks in areas with dry vegetation
🌊 Have a hose on hand in case of sparks
🧨 Place spent fireworks in a bucket of water
🎆 Happy 4th of July! 🎆
What to celebrate this week: National Catfish Day (June 25)
A national holiday since 1987, this day commemorates the whiskery fish that is found on every continent except Antarctica. Although there are native species of catfish that deserve honoring, the blue catfish does not warrant celebration. It is increasingly becoming a problem as an invasive species in the Potomac and other Chesapeake Bay tributaries.
One way to address invasive species is to put them on the menu. Departments of natural resources are working to make them more appetizing to help fight this invasive species that eats everything from rockfish eggs to crabs.
Put blue catfish on your menu with these creative recipes!
On October 17, ICPRB will be hosting a conference on addressing invasive species—2024 Potomac River Conference: Reeling in the Challenge of Aquatic Invasive Species. Sign up to get notified once registration opens >>>
The river’s flow is low and there is little rain in the forecast. ICPRB and our partners across the watershed are monitoring the situation.
When flow of the Potomac River at the Point of Rocks USGS gage dips below 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), the staff at ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) initiates daily drought monitoring. This means that CO-OP staff prepare a daily report with flow, water demand, and weather forecasts on behalf of the CO-OP water suppliers: Fairfax Water, Washington Aqueduct, and WSSC Water. This is a requirement of the Water Supply Coordination Agreement of 1982, which is a pivotal planning document that helps ensure the DC Metro area is well prepared during a drought.
The backup water supply reservoirs are full, and currently, there are no mandatory water restrictions in the DC Metro area.
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Newsletter — June 20, 2024
River Report – New NOAA Rapid Onset Drought Prediction Tool
You might have noticed it’s hot outside. According to the new NOAA Climate Prediction Center, which just became live last month, the excessive heat may lead to a regional rapid onset drought. Also known as a flash drought, these events are tied to extreme temperatures and other variables that quickly soak up available moisture.
The river’s flow at the USGS gage at Point of Rocks is hovering around 2,600 cubic feet per second (cfs), and dropping. If the flow goes below 2,000 cfs, ICPRB’s CO-OP team will initiate daily drought monitoring. In the case of a drought, the DC Metro area is well protected due to decades of planning and preparation.
It’s always a good idea to be mindful of our water use. Here are a few tips to be water wise:
🛠️ Fix leaky pipes.
🚿 Take shorter showers.
🌿 Choose native plants for your landscaping.
🥤 Capture and reuse water from activities like washing vegetables or waiting for the water to warm up. This water can be used to water plants or to clean.
🚰 Brushing teeth? Washing hands? Doing dishes? Turn the faucet off when you are not actively using the water during these daily activities.
What to celebrate this week: West Virginia Day (June 20)
With 3,490 square miles of land in the Potomac watershed, West Virginia makes up almost 25% of the total watershed. However, West Virginians make up a only small fraction (0.04%) of the overall population.* Happy West Virginia Day! (*2020 census)
AJ is a Junior at Cornell University studying Biological Engineering and Global Development. His academic and career interests lie within the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and community engagement, and how they can be used to equitably improve the lives of those worldwide.
This summer, he will assist the ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) by enhancing modeling tools with remote sensing data and analyzing GRACE-based drought products to improve drought assessment tools. Additionally, he will support the Aquatic Life Section and the DEIJ committee of the Commission with research objectives.
June Water Supply Outlook shows low risk of backup water use
Each month from April to October, the ICPRB Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac, or CO-OP Section, produces the Water Supply Outlook, which details the probability of the DC metro area needing a release from upstream reservoirs for its drinking water supply.
Last summer, we were experiencing abnormally dry conditions. This summer, we are in better shape due to heavier rain this spring. The maps below illustrate the spatial variability of rainfall over the Potomac Basin in May. Normalized rainfall anomaly, indicating departure from normal conditions, reveals that rainfall was normal to slightly above normal across the basin.
ICPRB seeks an enthusiastic, detail-oriented collaborator to be a key member of the Water Resources team. The Water Resources Planner will assist with interesting and challenging projects in this program area, an exciting opportunity to apply diverse technical and participatory skills in a large river basin context. This position will also be responsible for coordinating the Potomac River Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership, to include planning and executing quarterly meetings, administering the partnership, and designing and implementing associated educational events. Applications are due by 5:00 PM on July 5, 2024.
What does freedom mean to you? The organization Outdoor Afro, which has a mission of celebrating and inspiring Black connections and leadership in nature, will commemorate Juneteenth next Wednesday, June 19, under the theme of “Freedom to Access Water.”
To honor this day, we encourage you to spend time in nature (whether a nearby beach, swimming pool, or public park for example). Outdoor Afro asks you to discover a nearby water source in your neighborhood for 2.5 hours – to reflect in honor of the 2.5 years that freedom delayed for 250,000 enslaved Black people of Galveston, Texas.
June is national LGBTQ Pride Month. You might be familiar with the Capital Pride parade and other Pride celebrations taking place this month, but did you know about the places all around the region, including several parks and plazas, that are significant to LGBTQ history?
The Water Supply Outlook has returned to its seasonal schedule of reporting for April – October. The Water Supply Outlook is a monthly report that looks at the overall drought conditions in the Potomac River basin.
The probability of releases from backup water supply reservoirs in the Washington metropolitan area during the summer and fall seasons of 2024 is currently below normal. Streamflow is currently near
normal, and groundwater levels are mostly normal. The Potomac basin upstream of Washington, D.C. received 4.3 inches of precipitation for the month of May, which is 0.2 inches above normal. As of May 31, the 12-month cumulative basin precipitation is 0.5 inches below normal. The Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center (MARFC) anticipates no water supply shortages within the Mid-Atlantic region over the next couple of months, assuming continuation of near normal precipitation.
ICPRB seeks an enthusiastic, detail-oriented collaborator to be a key member of the Water Resources team. The Water Resources Planner will assist with interesting and challenging projects in this program area, an exciting opportunity to apply diverse technical and participatory skills in a large river basin context. The position will participate as part of a highly collaborative water resources team. Example activities include developing a watershed management plan to address Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in the Lake Anna watershed, Virginia, updating the Potomac basin land prioritization tool, and conducting bi-annual webinars for land use decision-makers. More broadly, the position will assist with the implementation of various aspects of the Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan. This position will also be responsible for coordinating DWSPP to include planning and executing quarterly meetings, administering the partnership, and designing and implementing associated educational events (in person and virtually).
The ICPRB will hold its third quarter business meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The meeting will be held virtually on Teams. Commissioners will discuss the Low Flow Allocation Agreement, learn about forecasting reported water withdrawals in the Potomac basin, and more. Find the draft agenda on our Business Meetings site.
The public is invited to view the virtual meeting. Please contact us by Friday, June 14, for more information on how to attend.
**Friday is the deadline for abstract submissions to present at the upcoming Potomac Conference: Reeling in the Challenge of Aquatic Invasive Species on October 17, 2024. The conference will expound on the science, policy, and management of invasive fishes and other aquatic species in the Potomac River basin and beyond.**
River Report
Thanks to a wet winter, rain in the basin is only 0.5 inches below average for the past 12 months. For comparison, in our last River Report of 2023 last December, rain in the Potomac River basin was 8 inches below average. The extra rain will help replenish groundwater sources for the coming dry season.
Currently, the river level is in good shape. At 7,700 cubic feet per second (cfs), the river’s flow at the USGS gage at Point of Rocks is slightly above the historical median level of 7,340 cfs.
Looking towards the future, NOAA is calling for an above-normal hurricane season. Unfortunately, it is hard to predict how that will impact our region. The best thing to do is to get prepared now by gathering emergency supplies, developing an evacuation plan, and preparing your home for strong storms. Learn more on the NOAA website >>>
What to celebrate this week: National Learn How to Row Day, June 1
Rowing is a popular activity in the DC Metro area. In celebration of National Learn How to Row Day on Saturday, some boathouses on the Potomac are holding events to encourage people to get out on the water and try their hand at this fun water sport. Here are just a few of the options to get your feet wet in the rowing world:
Did you miss last week’s webinar exploring the intersection of water resources, data centers, and solar fields in the Potomac River watershed? Catch it now on our YouTube page. Presentations included:
Utility Scale Solar Institutions in Virginia
Environmental Impacts of Industrial Scale Solar and Solutions
Loudoun Water’s Reclaimed Water System in the Heart of Data Center Alley
What to celebrate this week: National Love a Tree Day and Bike to Work Day
National Love a Tree Day is today. Did you know 53% of the Potomac watershed is forested? Love a tree by joining a tree planting event near you with groups like Casey Trees (DC) or Streamlink Education (MD).
Bike to Work Day is tomorrow. Air pollution impacts water quality by running into our streams and rivers when it rains. Skip the car for your morning commute and hop on your bike. Stop by a ‘pit stop’ for food, prizes, and camaraderie.
ICPRB in the Community
Join ICPRB at one of our upcoming events:
May 18 – Walk in the Woods: Mussel Power with Anacostia Watershed Society (Washington, D.C.)(We want to get you up close and personal with the mussels, but that is hard to do when it has been raining. We are watching the weather and river conditions closely for this event. If you have registered on Eventbrite, we will let you know by this evening if the Walk in the Woods has been rescheduled.)
Stay informed about the latest news, impactful projects, environmental challenges, and community initiatives in the Potomac River watershed—sign up today!