Monitoring Reports

During periods of drought, the Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) helps manage the Washington metropolitan area water supply system by coordinating withdrawals from the Potomac River and off-river reservoirs and recommending releases from upstream reservoirs when forecasted flow in the river is not sufficient to meet expected needs. These needs include water demands and an environmental flow-by of 100 million gallons per day (MGD) on the Potomac River at Little Falls dam near Washington, D.C.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Wednesday, 2024-09-18)

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 09/18/2024 - 12:02

Situational Awareness (Wednesday, 2024-09-18)
The remnants of Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight is bringing rainfall to Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center, the next 24 hours could see 0.7 inches of basin average rain. Over the next 3 days, average basin rainfall is predicted to be around 0.8 inches, with a total of approximately 0.9 inches expected over the week.

Special Conditions
None

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Tuesday, 2024-09-17)

Submitted by admin1 on Tue, 09/17/2024 - 12:06

Situational Awareness (Tuesday, 2024-09-17)
The forecast from several days ago of significant rainfall never materialized. A small amount of rain is expected in the Potomac basin over the coming days. According to Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predictions, average basin rainfall will be around 0.5 inches over the next three days and 0.6 inches over the next week.

Special Conditions
None

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Monday, 2024-09-16)

Submitted by hmoltz on Mon, 09/16/2024 - 12:20

Situational Awareness (Monday, 2024-09-16)
According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predictions, no rain is expected in the next 24 hours. Over the next 3 days, the average basin rainfall may be around 1.5 inches. The week-long outlook expects a total of approximately 1.8 inches of rain in the basin.

Special Conditions
None

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Sunday, 2024-09-15)

Submitted by admin1 on Sun, 09/15/2024 - 12:29

Situational Awareness (Sunday, 2024-09-15)
Potomac River flows have been falling, but it looks like relief is on the way. According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center, significant rainfall is expected over the next 3 days, with a predicted average accumulation in the Potomac basin above Little Fall of 1.3 inches. The week-long outlook calls for a total of approximately 2.4 inches.

Special Conditions

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Saturday, 2024-09-14)

Submitted by admin1 on Sat, 09/14/2024 - 12:08

Situational Awareness (Saturday, 2024-09-14)
According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predictions, no rain is expected over the next 3 days.  The week-long outlook anticipates approximately 0.7 inches of rainfall across the basin.

Special Conditions
The bathymetric surveys conducted at Potomac Dam No. 4 on September 12th continue to affect river flow at the Point of Rocks gage. River flow is expected to recover over the next day.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Friday, 2024-09-13)

Submitted by snummer on Fri, 09/13/2024 - 12:34

Situational Awareness (Friday, 2024-09-13)
According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predictions, no appreciable rainfall is expected to fall in the basin over the next 3 days. 

Special Conditions
Intra-daily flow fluctuations have been observed at the Shepherdstown and Point of Rocks gages due to bathymetric surveys conducted at Potomac Dam No. 4 on September 12th. 

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Thursday, 2024-09-12)

Submitted by admin1 on Thu, 09/12/2024 - 12:07

Situational Awareness (Thursday, 2024-09-12)
According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predictions, the next 24 hours may see 0 inches of rain. Over the next 3 days, the average basin rainfall may be around 0 inches. The week-long outlook expects a total of approximately 0.2 to 0.7 inches of rain in the basin.