Over the last 24 hours, less than a 0.1 of an inch of precipitation fell over the mainstem of the Potomac between Goose Creek and the Monocacy; the remaining areas in the basin received no rain. Over the next 48 hours, the National Weather Service indicates a chance of up to 0.1 of an inch of rain in the North Branch, with a possibility of a 0.25 of an inch in the Washington, D.C. area. Over the next 5 days, there is a chance of up to 0.1 of an inch of rain, with most of the central portion of the basin receiving no rain. The flow at Point of Rocks still shows higher than expected flows because of the artificially varied flow release; the flow will return to the level that has been seen over the past couple of days sometime today. The artificially varied flow release is expected to arrive at Little Falls in the next day or two.
Due to the lack of significant precipitation in the basin, flows are expected to continue to decrease and general drought conditions are worsening. In the event that conditions do not improve, enhanced monitoring by ICPRB CO-OP section and utilities may become necessary over the weekend. If this occurs we will be contacting the utilities in a separate email and by phone.
Daily Flows:
Little Falls gage flow 09/02: 660 MGD (1020 cfs)
Little Falls gage flow 09/03: 640 MGD (est., based on recently available real time data) (987 cfs)
Note: Gage flow at Little Falls is measured after water supply withdrawals.
Point of Rocks flow 09/02: 1150 MGD (1780 cfs)
Point of Rocks flow 09/03: 1150 MGD (est., based on recently available real time data) (1780 cfs)
Yesterday's Net Potomac Production (09/02/10):
FW Corbalis raw water withdrawal (Potomac): 131 MGD
WSSC Potomac Production: 157 MGD
Aqueduct withdrawal: 181 MGD
Total Potomac demand: 469 MGD