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The Chesapeake WILD grant will support opening passageways in the North Branch Potomac to allow migration of the American eel, a species of environmental, cultural, and historical significance.

ROCKVILLE, MD (Sept. 16, 2024) – The American eel has historically been found throughout the Potomac River. In recent centuries, dams and other hindrances have decreased access to available habitat resulting in significantly reduced population numbers. The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) recently was awarded a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) grant to help restore the eels to their native range and make existing populations more resilient.

“The American eel is the Potomac’s only catadromous species, which means it lives its life in the river but migrates out to sea to spawn. Juvenile eel return to headwaters of the Potomac basin each year to grow up, and hopefully someday, repeat the process seaward. Unfortunately, American eel that enter the Potomac basin this year face a number of issues such as impassable dams, new predators (like the snakehead and blue catfish), and recent changes in land-use that ultimately reduce the number of young eel reaching the prime developmental upstream habitat,” states Gordon “Mike” Selckmann, associate director for aquatic habitats at ICPRB.

“Improving fish passage by cooperating with our project partners to modernize our historic dams with eel ladders is just one way we can help this historic fish,” explains Selckmann.

“We are excited for the WILD grant and the opportunity to work with our partner organizations to build new infrastructure on Dam 5 near Williamsport, Maryland, as well as support renovations on additional infrastructure that will allow eels to move upstream, opening a whole new world for them,” said ICPRB Executive Director Michael Nardolilli.

According to Selckmann, some estimates suggest American eel once accounted for 20% of the freshwater biomass on the eastern seaboard, “They are an important component to riverine and terrestrial ecosystems, as both predator and prey. They even transport larval freshwater mussels upstream.” Selckmann added, “More eels may lead to more mussels and cleaner water.”

“We believe this project will not only restore habitat but also increase public awareness about this important species in the Potomac River,” Nardolilli said. In addition to an eelway at Dam 5, eel passageways are being planned for additional impediments along the river.

This project is made possible through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Forest Service and Altria. Additional support was provided by the National Park Service.

Renee Bourassa, Communications Director

Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin | Rockville, MD

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The ICPRB is an interstate compact commission established by Congress in 1940. Its mission is to protect and enhance the waters and related resources of the Potomac River basin through science, regional cooperation, and education. Represented by appointed commissioners, the ICPRB includes the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the federal government. The ICPRB affirms the importance of fostering diversity equity, inclusion, and justice in all activities. The Potomac belongs to all.

As of this morning, ICPRB has started Drought Monitoring due to low flows in the Potomac River and no rain expected in the next week. The Potomac River supplies drinking water to 78% of people in the greater Washington metro region and 100% of residents in the District of Columbia and Arlington County, Virginia.

It has been about a month since Tropical Storm Debby blew through and increased the rivers flow enough to give us respite from the daily drought emails, but the river’s flow is now below the 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) threshold for drought monitoring.

During Drought Monitoring, staff at ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) prepare a daily email for water suppliers and government agencies with flow, weather, and demand conditions. This important information can be used to inform water supply operations.

During periods of drought, the CO-OP helps manage the Washington metropolitan area water supply system by coordinating withdrawals from the Potomac River and off-river reservoirs and recommending releases from upstream reservoirs when forecasted flow in the river is not sufficient to meet expected needs.

Follow the conversation and see the daily emails using #droughtmonitoring on Facebook and Twitter/X.

The Washington metropolitan area remains in a Drought Watch declared by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on July 29. Authorities are asking folks to use water wisely.

USGS gage Potomac River at Point of Rocks with a flow of 1820 cubic feet per second.

Rain in the forecast, eels in the river, angry yellowjackets, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – August 29, 2024 >>>

River Report – Low Flows but Rain in the Forecast

Drought brings a lot of things—anxiety, thirsty plants, low river levels, angry yellowjackets (yes, you read that right!), and even poor air quality. The DC Metro region air quality dipped into Code Orange yesterday and was considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. It is expected to improve in the coming days.

The river’s flow at Point of Rocks is hovering at the point where ICPRB begins daily Drought Monitoring, however, staff will postpone initiating Drought Monitoring due to the 1 – 3 inches of rain in the forecast.

The heaviest rain is expected in the western part of the watershed, which is also currently the driest area in today’s U.S. Drought Monitor map. How that changes the map remains to be seen. Currently, the amount of the watershed in Severe Drought (orange) jumped from 37% to almost 60% since last week.

All the F(eels) for our NFWF Grant

We are excited to announce that ICPRB has received a 2024 Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) grant to restore access of the American eel to historic habitat in the western Potomac River watershed. The project will open more than 1,500 miles of upstream river and stream habitat for eel and related aquatic species.

Learn more about ICPRB’s eel project and see other WILD grant recipients >>>

The return of a thriving eel population to the Potomac River and its tributaries will provide more food for other species and better water quality, thereby increasing ecosystem resiliency.

This project is made possible through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Forest Service and Altria. Additional support was provided by the National Park Service.

Stay tuned to learn more as the project progresses!

Upcoming ICPRB Business Meeting

The ICPRB will hold its final business meeting of FY24 on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the Adams County Agricultural and National Resources Center in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Commissioners will get an update on the region’s response to the drought, get briefed on ICPRB projects, and get a spotlight presentation on the Adams County Conservation District. Find the draft agenda on our Business Meetings site.

The public is invited to attend the meeting. Please contact us by Friday, September 6, for more information on how to attend.