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Search Results for: walk in the woods

Register for the Oct. 29 Walk in the Woods: Let’s be Smart About Winter Salt, Gaithersburg, MD

October 24, 2022

Winter brings cozy sweaters and steaming cups of hot chocolate, but it also brings piles of winter salt that could end up in our rivers and streams. Winter salt harms aquatic life, plants, infrastructure and our drinking water.

Join the Izaak Walton League of America and the City of Gaithersburg on a fun and informative hike to learn more about our addiction to deicing salt and how we can all live on a low winter salt diet.

Expect to walk about 3 miles on easy terrain. Please bring your own water bottle, snacks, and bug spray (if needed).

This event is free but please register on Eventbrite in case of delays or rescheduling due to bad weather.

Izaak Walton League will be providing a Salt Watch kit to anyone interested in getting involved.

Each participant will be required to complete the following form. Copies will be available at the beginning of the hike or click here to bring your own printed, signed copy.

This hike is produced by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) in collaboration with the City of Gaithersburg and the Izaak Walton League of America. It is part of ICPRB’s Walk in the Woods series of hikes.

RESCHEDULED Join ICPRB for a Walk in the Woods in Frederick, MD

September 29, 2022

** DUE TO EXPECTED RAIN, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 8**

Join us on October 1 for a hike in the Municipal Forest of the City of Frederick, Md. Our guide for this 3-mile hike is Jenny Willoughby, the Sustainability Manager of Frederick City. Jenny will share her extensive knowledge of the Frederick Municipal Forest and what it takes to sustainably and responsibly manage the city’s source of drinking water. She will talk about the active forest management, the history, and the flora and fauna of the area.

This is the first of several 2022 Walk in the Woods hikes produced by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin.

Learn more about the event and how to register on the Eventbrite site.

Join ICPRB for a Walk in the Woods in Gaithersburg, MD on Oct 29

September 27, 2022

Join the Izaak Walton League of America and the City of Gaithersburg on Oct 29 at 9:00 am for a fun and informative hike to learn more about our addiction to deicing salt and how we can all live on a low winter salt diet.

This event is free but please RSVP on Eventbrite in case of delays or rescheduling due to bad weather.

News from Around the Basin – April 18, 2024

April 18, 2024

Webinar on Data Centers & Solar, watershed moments, White’s ferry tale saga continues, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – April 18, 2024 >>>

ICPRB Webinar: Water Resources Impacts of Data Centers and Solar Fields and Tools to Mitigate Impacts

Interested in the intersection of data centers, solar fields, and water resources in the Potomac River watershed? Join ICPRB for a webinar on Friday, May 10 at noon to learn about the water resources impacts of data centers and solar fields in the Potomac watershed. We’ll also discuss tools to mitigate and prevent those impacts. The panel will feature speakers from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, and Loudoun Water.

This event is being held as part of the implementation of the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.

Watershed moments – what to celebrate this week

Earth Day is Monday, April 22. One impetus for the national push for a this day to inspire environmental action was Silent Spring, a groundbreaking book which linked pollution to real impacts to both the environment and human health. The book was written by biologist and writer Rachel Carson, a resident of the Potomac River basin.

Looking for ways to celebrate? Here are just a few of many options:

15 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Around DC (DC Metro)
Earth Day events, volunteering opportunities (DC Metro)
Earth Day trash to art contest & Potomac River beach clean-up (King George, VA)
Earth Day stream cleanup at Sachs Bridge (Gettysburg, PA)

ICPRB in the Community

Below is a list of upcoming events ICPRB is producing or attending. We hope to see you there!

April 20 – Earth Day Celebration (Frederick, MD)
April 28 – Walk in the Woods: Frederick Municipal Forest
May 4 – Anacostia Festival (Washington, D.C.)
May 10 – Webinar: Water Resources Impacts of Data Centers and Solar Fields and Tools to Mitigate Impacts
May 18 – Walk in the Woods: Mussel Power with Anacostia Watershed Society (Washington, D.C.)

News From Around the Basin – April 4, 2024

April 8, 2024

Welcoming ICPRB interns, status of the Shenandoah, rockfish in limbo, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – April 4, 2024 >>>

Welcoming ICPRB’s 2024 Interns

Nusrat Noor will be joining ICPRB remotely from her home base of Durham, NC where she is working on her Master of Environmental Management at Duke University. She has experience curating and cataloging large collections of aquatic and marine invertebrates at both the Auburn University Museum of Natural History and the Florida Museum of Natural History.

At ICPRB, Ms. Noor will be working closely with the CO-OP team to retrieve and analyze remotely sensed water storage data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) to improve hydrological modeling and forecasting during low flows in the Potomac basin. She is also working to make historic, handwritten water quality datasets held by ICPRB available in electronic format.

Nusrat is originally from Florida and currently lives with her two cats. She enjoys hiking, crocheting, and buying toys for her cats that they never use.

Risa Fish hails from Phoenix, Arizona, where she advocated for clean water and sanitation practices for an organization conducting water projects in Cusco, Peru. She also conducted research and educated the public on water conservation at the Water Conservation Department of the City of Chandler. Already holding a Bachelor of Science in Public Service and Public Policy (Sustainability) from Arizona State University, Ms. Fish is now working on her Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management at Georgetown University, where she expects to graduate this summer. She hopes to remain in the DMV area post-graduation as she has loved living on the East Coast.

During her internship at ICPRB, she will be working on a Spatial Statistical Network modeling project as well as making improvements to our water quality data inventory. As a self-proclaimed “water nerd” she is eager to continue to expand her expertise in the water field and is looking forward to the experiences ICPRB can provide her with.

This is ICPRB’s third year since starting the internship program that educates and encourages future water resources professionals. Check out our YouTube page to see the great work of previous interns.

One Down, Many More to Come

Thank you to our guides, Paul Kreingold and Jon Wolz, and everyone that joined us for our first Walk in the Woods of 2024. We learned the fascinating history of the quarry along the Potomac that supplied the statuesque columns for Statuary Hall in the Capitol. See pictures of our walk (and Potomac marble!) on Facebook.

News From Around the Basin – March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

Still time to sign up for Saturday’s hike, a DC parks quest, sayonara Stumpy, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – March 28, 2024 > > >

Sign up for Saturday’s Walk in the Woods

Did you miss your chance to register for Saturday’s *sold out* Walk in the Woods: Potomac Marble near Dickerson, MD? Don’t worry, we’ve got a spot for you. If you would like to join us for this 5-mile guided trek to discover the stone that rebuilt Washington, D.C., we’re extending extra spots to anyone signed up for our newsletter. The event is free to attend, but we ask that you register by responding to this email.

Can’t make it? Join us on a future Walk in the Woods, including the newly added Walk in the Woods: Mussel Power with Anacostia Watershed Society on May 18.

Working Towards a Resilient Water Supply System

Last week, ICPRB staff joined the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DC Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) for a tabletop exercise to review — and improve — our collective response to a hypothetical threat to our water supply system.

ICPRB staff utilized our Emergency River Spill Model to support the exercise scenario, and discussed spill notification, modeling, and communication protocols. Events like these are important for building processes and relationships for a more efficient and effective response to emergency situations.

Read the full CISA press release here > > >

Media from around the basin – February 29, 2024

February 29, 2024

Where to find ICPRB this year, VA out of drought, the stories of the first all-Black rowing team and the first Black yacht club, and more in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – Feb. 29, 2024 >>>

ICPRB in the Community

Our dance card is getting full for 2024! Check out several upcoming events where you’ll find ICPRB staff:

March 2 – Sierra Club Catoctin Group Presents Renee Bourassa: “Flowing Through Time: Our Nation’s River” (Virtual and in-person in Urbana, MD) – Renee Bourassa will present the struggles and successes of the Potomac River.
March 5 – Why so salty? Freshwater Salinization – Trends and Regional Impacts (Virtual) – Michael Nardolilli will take a regional perspective on the impacts of winter salt use.
March 28 – Walk in the Woods: Potomac Marble (Dickerson, MD) – Join the first guided hike of 2024 to hear author Paul Kreingold and historian Jon Wolz talk about geology, history, and the search for the stone that was used to rebuild D.C. after the 1814 British invasion.
April 28 – Walk in the Woods: Frederick Municipal Forest (Frederick, MD) – A spring guided hike with Jenny Willoughby, Sustainably Manager for the City of Frederick. We will discuss protecting and managing the Frederick Municipal Forest (w/ some plant ID in the mix).
May 18 – Walk in the Woods: Flexing Mussels with Anacostia Watershed Society (DC) – Registration coming soon!
October 12 – Walk in the Woods: Let’s be Smart About Winter Salt (Gaithersburg, MD) – A beautiful fall walk & talk to discover the hidden impact of winter salt use and what we all can do to protect our waterways.
October 19 – Walk in the Woods: Strawberry Hill Preserve (Fairfield, PA) – Explore the streams meandering through the Strawberry Hill property and gain insights into their critical role in maintaining the health of the waters

We’ll be adding more fun and informative events throughout the year. We also plan to bring our creek critter meet and greet to the Earth Day Celebration (April 20, Frederick, MD), Anacostia River Festival (May 4, DC), Festival del Rio Anacostia (September 21, DC), and many more! Stay tuned by checking out ICPRB Events on our website.

ICPRB Q2 Business Meeting will be on March 12, 2024

ICPRB will hold the second quarter business meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Commissioners will learn about computer models used to predict water quality endpoints and discuss the adoption of the 2023 updates to the Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan. The public is invited to view the virtual meeting. Please respond to this email for more information on how to attend.

Correction Notice

Editor’s Note: Last week’s newsletter included the news article Virginia Introduces Amended Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit to Protect Chesapeake Bay. We were subsequently informed that information found in the article is not accurate. We regret the error.

News from Around the Basin – November 9, 2023

November 9, 2023

Drought conditions worsen in the watershed, partnerships for protecting the Potomac, EJ picking up steam, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir >>>

The River Report – Over 90% of the basin drought conditions

Adjusted Flow at Little Falls as of Nov. 8, 2023

Our rain deficit continues to grow as we get further into the fall season without precipitation. We are 7.8 inches below average for the past year.

The U.S. Drought Monitor released this morning shows over 90% of the basin in abnormally dry conditions or worse. Almost 8% of the basin is in Extreme Drought conditions.

The current flow is below the 10th percentile, as seen in the graph of the Adjusted Daily Flow at Little Falls. The trend is worrying. The graph includes data from previous pre-drought years as reference points, these being years that led to significant reservoir releases. This year’s adjusted flow closely aligns with the seasonal flows observed in those past years that eventually led to significant drought operations.

ICPRB’s CO-OP staff are closely monitoring the situation and keeping stakeholders informed. This includes a daily report as well as publishing a supplemental Water Supply Outlook. Traditionally, the monthly Water Supply Outlook is published from April to October. However, due to persistent dry conditions, staff published an additional November report.

Read the November Water Supply Outlook >>>

Partnerships Protecting the Potomac

ICPRB organized two important gatherings last week…

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE: The Comprehensive Plan is in the process of a 5-year review thanks to the advisory committee, which is a diverse group of stakeholders helping shape the vision for the future of the Potomac River and its related resources. Last week the group met to give their feedback on the current draft of the 5-year update, which should be finalized and published in the spring.

Click here to see the projects born from the Comprehensive Plan.

POTOMAC RIVER BASIN DRINKING WATER SOURCE PROTECTION PARTNERSHIP (DWSPP): Last week’s annual meeting celebrated the work of this important coalition of water utilities and government agencies working together to protect our drinking water. Presentations included:

Conservation Assessment for Northern VA Watersheds: Developing NVCT’s Strategic Conservation Plan by Matt Gerhart of NVCT
Toxic Cyanobacteria: Benthic Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) Communities in Shenandoah River: a collaboration with ICPRB and USGS by Dr. Chris Jones of GMU
Source Water Quality in a Changing Climate: The Case of Disinfection Byproduct Precursors by Dr. Kirin Furst of GMU

Click here to see a video of the presentations >>>

After the meeting, Dr. Jones led a tour of the labs at the Potomac Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center. GMU students discussed their work on PFAS, algae, and other important research projects to help protect the Potomac River and its tributaries.

A Dry Walk in the Woods

At our last Walk in the Woods of 2023, we explored the Frederick Municipal Forest. The forest is an important source of drinking water for the City of Frederick, Maryland. We have been doing a Walk in the Woods for many years in the region and typically we have several babbling brooks we carefully cross. Our drought conditions were on full display during last Saturday’s hike when we barely saw a trickle over the dry rocks. Regardless, the hike participants enjoyed a lovely day in the woods learning about forest management, trees, and the interesting history of the Frederick Municipal Forest.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for all of our Walk in the Woods in 2023! We look forward to planning more fun ways to get people out and about to enjoy all the Potomac River basin has to offer.

News from Around the Basin – November 2, 2023

November 2, 2023

Protecting our river from spills 🦸‍♀️, drought continues ☀️, spooky species in the Potomac River basin 🕷️, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir 💧 Nov 2, 2023.

The River Report – Flows Continue to Drop

At only 8.1” of rain over the past 3 months, we are 1.9” below average with no relief in sight. Some cities in the basin, including Emmitsburg, MD, and Strasburg, VA, are implementing mandatory water restrictions due to low water levels.

ICPRB CO-OP staff continue to carefully monitor the situation. Daily reports are posted on Twitter/X using #droughtmonitoring.

You may notice the daily ups and downs on the river’s flow at Point of Rocks in the graph, including a recent jump and subsequent dip. These fluctuations are due to dam operations artificially adjusting the flow upstream.

Hoping for the Best, Preparing for the Worst

ICPRB and our utility and government partners work hard to ensure a resilient and reliable water supply for the 5 million+ people who rely on the Potomac River and its tributaries for their drinking water. This week, we took a few days to practice our response to an oil spill in the river, including deploying a boom (see the video).

These exercises help us be prepared for possible spills or other threats to our drinking water. Participants included WSSC Water, Fairfax Water, DC Water, Town of Leesburg, Virginia, Loudoun Water, and government agencies from throughout the Potomac watershed. The event was planned and funded by US Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 with the assistance of ICPRB. See more photos on our Facebook post.

(A Snowy) Winter is Coming

Meteorologists predict up to 6” more snow than average this winter. This will help refill our depleted groundwater, but it will also bring salty runoff into our streams, rivers, and even into groundwater. Our rivers are getting saltier, which is dangerous for aquatic life, our drinking water, and our infrastructure. Recent research event looks at how the issue extends beyond our freshwater supplies.

Last Saturday, a group of people enjoyed a guided hike to learn more about the issue of the overuse of winter salt and what they can do to make a difference. We also founds some spooky species along the way.

More pictures can be found on our Facebook page.

We walked along the Muddy Branch Trail, a 10-mile trail which ends at the Potomac River. The trail begins on the grounds of the Izaak Walton League of America’s national headquarters and ground zero for the Salt Watch program which was born after residents noticed a large pile of winter salt on the road above the Muddy Branch creek.

What can you do to protect our drinking water?

❄️ Shovel before you salt

🧂 Use less salt

🧹 Sweep it up and reuse it next time!

🧪 Get your own Salt Watch kit to monitor a stream near you.

Thanks to the Izaak Walton League of America and the City of Gaithersburg for partnering with us on this hike! We have one final guided hike for 2023. Join us this Saturday at 2:00 pm for the Walk in the Woods: Frederick Municipal Forest.

News from Around the Basin – October 12, 2023

October 12, 2023

Drought monitoring is back, but there is still lots of good news in the basin in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir Oct 12, 2023.

**SPECIAL NOTICE: We want rain, we were just hoping it wouldn’t come this Saturday morning for our Walk in the Woods in Frederick, MD. Unfortunately, the Frederick hike has been rescheduled due to the rainy forecast. Please stay tuned for a new date. You can still sign up for future Walk in the Woods on our Eventbrite page.**

The River Report – Drought Monitoring Continues

Unfortunately, we are falling into dry conditions, again.

Due to low flows in the Potomac River, ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) reinitiated daily drought monitoring last week. Low flows on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River prompted the town of Front Royal, Virginia, to enact mandatory water conservation measures while other areas are still requesting voluntary water conservation.

During drought monitoring, CO-OP staff provide a daily report of weather conditions, river flow, and water demands. If flows drop further, staff will kick into a higher gear with Drought Operations, providing a twice-daily report to water suppliers and evaluate the need to release water from our upstream reservoirs.

Follow the daily drought monitoring report using the hashtag #droughtmonitoring on Twitter/X.

Water Supply Outlook

The final Water Supply Outlook of 2023, was published last week. The Washington metro area has an above-normal probability of releases from its backup water supply reservoirs this season. Additionally, groundwater wells have been slow to recover from the dry summer and spring.

Most importantly, the report notes that currently the river’s flow is adequate to meet the water demands of the region without requiring releases from upstream reservoirs. The region has drought-contingency plans to ensure water supply reliability and prevent shortages.

ICPRB’s Dr. Moltz elected chair of a national organization for water policy

ICPRB’s director of program operations, Dr. Heidi Moltz, has been elected as chair of the board of directors of the Interstate Council on Water Policy (ICWP).

“I am honored and excited to collaborate with ICWP members to improve water resources management and planning policy nationwide. The ICWP mission to enhance the stewardship of the nation’s water resources aligns with our mission to protect and enhance the waters and related resources of the Potomac River basin through science, regional cooperation, and education,” says Dr. Moltz.

Dr. Moltz directs the water resources, aquatic life, and water quality programs at ICPRB, including overseeing the 2023 5-year review of the Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.