Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin - ICPRB

Our report, July 24: Flows have been rising overnight at the Point of Rocks gage due to recent rain. According to the US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center, the next 24 hours may see 0.2 inches of rain. Over the next 3 days, the average basin rainfall is expected to be around 0.4 inches.

Our report, July 23: An average of just over 0.4" of rain fell yesterday. US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predicts ~0.6" over the next 3 days.

After hitting a new historical low, flows in some streams in the western part of the basin (like the South Branch near Springfield, WV) are rebounding slightly.

Gage: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), WV Department of Environmental Protection, West Virginia Emergency Management Division

The more you know!
Crayfish are important to an ecosystem for many reasons:
⭐Biodiversity: Crayfish contribute to the overall biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems, creating a more resilient and balanced environment.
⭐Food Source: They are a key food source for many animals, including fish, birds, mammals, and amphibians.
⭐Nutrient Cycling: Crayfish play a significant role in nutrient cycling by breaking down plant material and detritus. This decomposition process releases nutrients back into the ecosystem.
⭐Habitat Engineers: Crayfish burrowing activities help to aerate the soil and create habitats for other aquatic organisms. Their burrows provide shelter for smaller creatures and contribute to the structural diversity of aquatic habitat.
⭐Water Quality: By consuming organic debris and plant material, crayfish help to maintain water quality. They reduce the buildup of decaying matter, which can otherwise lead to decreased oxygen levels and poor water conditions.
⭐Indicator Species: Crayfish are sensitive to pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants, making them good indicators of ecosystem health. Their population levels can reflect overall quality of the aquatic environment.
👍🏼But remember, a species in an area that is not native to the area is considered invasive.

Photo: Panama City crayfish, FWC, Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0, https://www.fws.gov/banner/panama-city-crayfish-0

Good news in today's report: According to US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center, up to an inch of rain is possible over the next 24 hours. The average basin rainfall for the next 3 days may be around 1.5 inches.

🗺️: US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center

Our report, July 21: Rainfall yesterday in the Potomac basin was scattered. Potomac River flows at Point of Rocks have been relatively steady over the past few days. The US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predicts little rain in the basin over the next day and an average of 0.6 inches over the next three days.

🤞🤞🤞

Much needed rainfall is expected over the next 3 days.

The report for July 20: No appreciable rainfall over the past 24 hours.

US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predicts:
- 0.1” in the next 24 hrs
- 0.2” in the next 3 days
- 1” over the next week

Flash drought in the watershed, algal blooms in the news, heat island effect especially hot in DC, and more, in this week's Potomac News Reservoir - July 18, 2024 - https://mailchi.mp/72c577717863/potomac-news-reservoir-2185957

July 18 report: US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predicts the next three days may see 0.1 inches of rain. The week-long outlook expects a total of approximately 0.9 inches of rain in the basin.

The watershed has received 2.3 inches of rain below average for the past 30 days.

ICPRB Executive Director Michael Nardolilli spoke to Fox 5 DC about current drought conditions in the Potomac basin. Everyone can help to conserve precious water. Mike's tips:
🪥 turn off the tap as you brush
🚿 take a short shower rather than a bath
💧 limit uses you can avoid, like washing your car

Read and watch the full story: https://www.fox5dc.com/news/potomac-river-basin-faces-flash-drought-reservoir-water-releases-under-consideration

News Local and breaking news reports from around the D.C. region, brought to you by FOX 5, serving Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C.

report, July 17: Stream flows throughout the Potomac basin are continuing to decline. Flows in some major Potomac River tributaries have fallen below historic minimums for this day of the year – notably in the South Branch Potomac River near Springfield, WV, and the Shenandoah River at Millville, WV.

US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predicts 0.4 inches of rain is expected in the basin over the next day and 0.6 inches over the next 3 days.

Flow at South Branch Potomac River Near Springfield:

- Current flow: 71.3 cubic feet per second (cfs)
- Historical Low (1999): 78.0 cfs
- Median: 306 cfs

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) WV Department of Environmental Protection

report for today (7/16): Trace amounts of rain predicted over the next 24 hours. Over the next 3 days, forecast ranges from 0.25" in the western portion of the basin to over an inch of rain possible in the DC metro area. See forecast maps from US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center:

update, Monday 7/15: Trace amounts of rain fell in the basin over the past 24 hours. River flows continue to decline. Little Falls gage flow yesterday measured at 1540 cfs; this morning: 1340 cfs. US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predicts a basin average of 0.6 inches over the next 7 days.

Today’s report: Significant rainfall occurred in the eastern parts of the basin over the past 24 hours, with local amounts reaching up to 1.5”. This has led to a notable increase in river flow at Little Falls, while upstream gages continue to show low levels.

Drought Monitoring update for Friday, July 12: Some rain might have come today in the eastern part of the Potomac basin, but flow is still low (1960 cubic feet per second at Point of Rocks, according to recently available data.)

Recent basin-wide average precipitation (above Little Falls):
Yesterday's area-weighted average basin precipitation: 0.01 (inches)
Past 3-day cumulative area-weighted average basin precipitation: 0.15 (inches)
Past 7-day cumulative area-weighted average basin precipitation: 0.21 (inches)

US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center precipitation predictions, over the next:
72 hours: 0.2 inches of rain
7 days: approx. 0.8 inches of rain

From today's Potomac report: Scattered thunderstorms occurred throughout the basin over the past 24hrs. Over the next 3 days, 0.1 to 0.5 inches of rain are expected, mainly in the eastern parts of the basin. US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center 24hr accumulation pictured.

Special Conditions: The effects of the whitewater release from Savage Reservoir on Sunday, July 7 are currently visible at the USGS streamflow gage on the Potomac River at Shepherdstown.

Drought Monitoring is back (again), a retrospective on snakehead, Anacostia swim called off (again), and more, in this week's Potomac News Reservoir - July 11, 2024 - https://mailchi.mp/766856085a73/potomac-news-reservoir-2185953

Shenandoah National Park Temporarily Suspends Fishing 2024 - Shenandoah National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Our report for 7/10: The week-long outlook expects 0.6" of rain. Any rainfall will combat the impacts of evaporation and the increased demand from outdoor watering due to the excessive heat currently affecting the area. Summertime rain is 3.1" below average.

Image: US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center

ICPRB's July Water Supply Outlook suggests we might be headed for a dry summer. Streamflow is currently below normal, and groundwater levels are below normal.

Learn more>>> https://bit.ly/water_supply_outlook

Drought in the Potomac River watershed:
- 52% in moderate drought conditions
- 38% in severe drought conditions

The report states drought is likely to persist in the Potomac Basin over the coming months.

Currently, there is sufficient water to meet our demands. If low-flow conditions further develop, we are protected from a water supply shortage owing to carefully designed drought-contingency plans.

Water Supply Outlook The Water Supply Outlook provides an update on the possibility of water supply releases from the area's reservoirs based on long-term precipitation data, flows, and other information for the Potomac basin.

New technology meets boots-on-the-ground science in our recent project exploring the source of algae blooms in the Shenandoah River, as reported by the Chesapeake Bay Journal. Project partners include U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center, Old Dominion University, and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

Researchers send in a drone to study bacteria and algae blooms in Shenandoah River Researchers in Virginia hope a new technology can help in the battle against one of the oldest forms of life on the planet.

The report for July 9: US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center expects dry conditions through Tuesday, with a chance of rain from Beryl's remnants later in the week. However, it is still too early to fully predict Beryl's track and influence in the Potomac watershed.

ICPRB's Executive Director, Michael Nardolilli, discusses the vulnerability of our drinking water supply in the national capital region with WTOP News

Arlington, DC are ‘most vulnerable cities in the US’: Boil water advisory points out lack of backup supply - WTOP News Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin executive director Michael Nardolilli says a recent boil water advisory demonstrates a major vulnerability in the D.C. area’s drinking water supply.

In today's report, US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predicts no rain in the next 24 hours and only 0.8" of rain over the next 7 days. USGS Science in Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Point of Rocks gage remains below the drought monitoring threshold of 2,000 cfs, and dropping.

July 7 report: The Potomac watershed received less than 1” of rain over the past week. US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predicts 1.5” of rain in the next week.

Estimated flow at Great Falls is 1898 cubic feet per second.

📸: Great Falls, July 6

Today’s report: We received less than 1” of rain over the past week. US National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predicts 0.7” of rain over the next 7 days.

This earwig scorpionfly is a rare species recently spotted in the Potomac River watershed.

MBP has just 13 records of our continent's only forcepfly (family Meropeidae). Dave Webb documented our species, Earwig Scorpionfly (Merope tuber), on 9/14. It was our first record for Allegany County, Maryland.

BugGuide notes that there are just three species in this family worldwide: one in North America, one in Australia, and one in Brazil. According to BugGuide, the family was "widespread during the Jurassic from Australia to Antarctica and over the Americas; the extant members are relics that survived at the edges of that ancient range."

Our world remains full of mysteries. BugGuide notes about this species: "Very little is known about biology or behavior. Larvae have never been discovered. The flattened appearance suggests that the adults probably spend much of their time close to the ground hiding in cracks and crevices." (https://bugguide.net/node/view/36596)

📸: (c) Dave Webb - Allegany Co., Maryland (9/14/2023). Verified by Ken Wolgemuth/BugGuide.

🔍More at Maryland Biodiversity Project:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/14982

- Bill

Source Water Protection News 💧 November 22, 2023 - https://mailchi.mp/0d133dd16d6e/source-water-protection-news-9428266