Situational Awareness (Saturday, 2026-01-10)
According to information from the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center, light rain fell throughout the Potomac watershed yesterday. More rain is expected today, with accumulations ranging from 0.25 to 0.75 inches, and this should raise river flows to levels above 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), CO-OP's threshold for daily drought monitoring. But after today, no significant rainfall is expected over the next 10 days, according to National Weather Service forecasts, so relief from low flows is expected to be temporary.
Special Conditions
None
Daily flows:
Little Falls gage flow 2026-01-09: 1189 MGD (1840 cfs)
Little Falls gage flow 2026-01-10: 1170 MGD (est., based on recently available real-time data) (1810 cfs)
Note: Gage flow at Little Falls is measured after water supply withdrawals.
Point of Rocks flow 2026-01-09: 1047 MGD (1620 cfs)
Point of Rocks flow 2026-01-10: 1073 MGD (est., based on recently available real-time data) (1660 cfs)
Yesterday's estimated daily flows:
Great Falls estimated flow 2026-01-09: 1205 MGD (1864 cfs)
Note: Estimated flow below Great Falls intake is flow at Little Falls plus Little Falls water supply withdrawal.
Yesterday's Washington metropolitan area Potomac River withdrawals and discharges (2026-01-09):
Fairfax Water Corbalis withdrawal - Potomac: 82 MGD
WSSC Water Potomac withdrawal: 119 MGD
Washington Aqueduct withdrawal - Great Falls: 109 MGD
Washington Aqueduct withdrawal - Little Falls: 16 MGD
Loudoun Water withdrawal: 9 MGD
Loudoun Water Broad Run discharge: 8 MGD
Total Potomac withdrawal: 335 MGD
Total net Potomac withdrawal: 327 MGD
Loudoun Water Potomac River (PR) flow values for drought operations protocol (based on yesterday's flows):
QPR: 1620 cfs
QPR, obs: 1620 cfs
QPR, WS: 0 cfs
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin