In water-sector jargon, source water protection means protecting or improving the quality of water before it reaches the water treatment plant. Better water quality going into the plant means better water quality at your tap.
One organization addressing source water protection in the region is the Potomac River Basin Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership (DWSPP). Coordinated by ICPRB, this voluntary coalition of government agencies and water suppliers work together to address source water protection in the Potomac River watershed. Learn about their work addressing PFAS, conducting spill exercises, tracking permits, and addressing the winter salt issue in DWSPP’s recently published 2023 Annual Report.
Impacts from the recent winter weather have been reflected in the river’s flow, reaching as high as 8 times the median for this time of year (as seen in the graph from the USGS Point of Rocks gage).
Temperatures dipped, creating icy conditions and interfering with gage functionality (the vertical blue line).
The temperature swings turned the weather from snowstorms to rainstorms. What happened to the winter salt during all that rain? If it wasn’t swept up, it was swept away into our rivers and streams.
The salty stormwater is dangerous for the critters that live in the creek, is destructive to infrastructure, and pollutes our drinking water. We were glad to see this important water quality issue widely covered in the news (WUSA9, WTOP, FOX5).
Wisconsin celebrated Winter Salt Awareness Week last week with a series of short webinars on the different aspects of winter salt impacts, including an environmental justice component, ecological consequences, and how to reduce our winter salt use.
ICPRB is just one of many organizations working together to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay Program recently released the Bay Barometer, which takes a look at the progress we have made towards the 18 outcomes set forth in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
There is some good news. Oyster habitat, public access points, and protected lands are on-course for their restoration targets.
ICPRB’s stream health index, Chessie BIBI, also provides positive news, with the report noting that between 2012 and 2017, 67.8% of stream miles in the watershed were considered healthy, marking a 6% increase since the previous assessment period.
On January 19, 2024, ICPRP hosted a webinar with speakers from Devereux Consulting and the National Association of Conservation Districts to cover the impacts that agricultural land use has on water quality in the Potomac basin and funding opportunities available to mitigate these effects.
On January 19, 2024, ICPRP hosted speakers from Devereux Consulting and the National Association of Conservation Districts to cover the impacts that agricultural land use has on water quality in the Potomac basin and funding opportunities available to mitigate these effects. Check out the webinar recording below…
We will talk about water quality impacts from agricultural land use in the Potomac basin and what funding is available to mitigate them. Olivia Devereux from Devereux Consulting who will share about the impacts that agriculture in the Potomac basin have on water quality. Mark Masters and Annica McGuirk from the National Association of Conservation Districts will share funding sources for agricultural related practices in the region.
After one of our driest summers on record, we have now received greater than 75% above average rainfall for the year. You’ll see in the graph that the adjusted flow at Little Falls (black line) has shot out of the 90th percentile range. However, we are only 11 days into that year.
Our drought conditions have improved, but are still sticking around. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 42% of the basin is in Abnormally Drought and 18% is in Moderate Drought conditions.
More rain is in the forecast for the next 3 days, which could result in more flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
Please be safe during flooding conditions. Don’t put your life, your passenger’s life, or first responders in danger. If you see a flooded street, turn around, don’t drown. WUSA9 provides additional tips to help protect your property from flooding.
Agriculture in the Watershed
Join us at noon on January 19 to learn about water quality impacts from agricultural land use in the Potomac basin and what funding opportunities are available to mitigate them.
The ICPRB has hired Rick Masters as its new General Counsel to replace long-time General Counsel Robert Bolle who retired at the end of 2023. Mr. Masters has engaged in extensive research and writing in the field of interstate compacts, including co-authoring the largest compilation of laws and commentary on the subject published by the American Bar Association in 2016 entitled “The Evolving Law and Use of Interstate Compacts (2nd Edition).” Mr. Masters also served for over 20 years as Special Counsel to the National Center for Interstate Compacts and authored the 2019 Legal Assessment of the Great Lakes Compact Commission.
Snow is in the forecast. When you work in water resources in the Potomac River watershed, snow is a double-edged sword.
On one hand, slowly melting snow refills our depleted groundwater, which is especially important after our dry 2023.
On the other hand, salt added to roads and sidewalks will run into our waterways, putting our drinking water, aquatic life, and infrastructure at risk. Our long history of winter salt use has increased the chloride levels in the Potomac River by 10-fold over the past 80 years.
Public safety is always the number one priority. However, using smart winter salting practices will ensure safety and reduce the amount of salt that ends up in our waterways.
Here’s what you can do:
❄️ Shovel First
🧂 Use Less Salt
🧹 After the storm, sweep it up and reuse it next time!
Let’s reduce our winter salt use to protect our drinking water, fish, and infrastructure! MWCOG has more tips and tricks for being Winter Salt Smart. #saltsmart
A celebration of field work
In 2023, ICPRB staff accomplished a variety of field activities, including monitoring for microplastics in Washington, D.C., tracking underground streams in the Cacapon River, and tagging and tracking fish in the North Branch Potomac. Stay tuned in 2024 for the results of these studies!
State parks across the Potomac River watershed are open the first day of the year to celebrate the annual tradition of a First Day Hike. Many parks offer ranger-led hikes and even special stickers to celebrate the occasion. The fun events provide an alternative way to ring in the new year.
First Day Hikes encourage people to start the year off right by getting outside, getting exercise, and experiencing the natural world.
After three decades of service to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Robert “Bob” Bolle is retiring as General Counsel. We would like to thank him for his wise counsel through so many years.
At the December 15, 2023 business meeting, ICPRB Commissioners voted to honor Mr. Bolle with the following Resolution of Appreciation.
Resolution of Appreciation for Service of Robert L. Bolle
Let it be known, Robert L. Bolle held a distinguished legal career, including service as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Georgetown University Law Center and as the Attorney-Advisor in the office of Legislative Counsel at the United States Department of the Treasury.
Whereas Mr. Bolle served as General Counsel to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin from April 1, 1992 through October 25, 2023; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle, during his tenure, served as the Acting Executive Director in 1999; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle brought to the Commission his skills as a knowledgeable, legal practitioner; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle ensured the Commission stayed within proper and permissible legal boundaries; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle instituted the parental leave allowance for the benefit of all Commission staff; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle was an early and enthusiastic supporter of the Commission joining the Interstate Council on Water Policy where it continues to be a leading member; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle promulgated and guided the passing of the 1996 Jennings Randolph Lake Project Compact, allowing for interstate management of Jenning Randolph Reservoir; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle shared his passion for protecting and preserving the Potomac River and its related resources through sound legal advice, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that at its business meeting on December 15, 2023, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin honors and commends Robert “Bob” Bolle for his outstanding service and expresses its appreciation for his many contributions to the success of the Commission.
Signed
Michael Nardolilli, Executive Director
Susan K. Weaver, Chairperson
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In water-sector jargon, source water protection means protecting or improving the quality of water before it reaches the water treatment plant. Better water quality going into the plant means better water quality at your tap.
