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, 2026-01-14)

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 01/14/2026 - 13:16

Situational Awareness (Wednesday, 2026-01-14):
According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center, no precipitation was observed across the basin yesterday. The next weather system is expected to bring light rain transitioning to snow this evening into Thursday morning. Over the next three days, average basin precipitation is forecast to range from 0.01 to 0.25 inches, with slightly higher amounts possible in the North Branch over the five- to seven-day forecast period.

Special Conditions:
None

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Thursday, 2026-01-08)

Submitted by snummer on Thu, 01/08/2026 - 14:23

Situational Awareness (Thursday, 2026-01-08)
According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center, no rain fell in the basin over the past 24 hours. Over the next 3 days, the average basin rainfall may be between 0.5 and 1.5 inches, with the greatest amounts expected in the southwestern portion of the basin. 

Special Conditions
None

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Wednesday, 2026-01-07)

Submitted by hmoltz on Wed, 01/07/2026 - 13:14

Situational Awareness (Wednesday, 2026-01-07)
According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center, trace amounts of precipitation fell in small, scattered areas of the upper basin over the past 24 hours.  Over the next 3 days, precipitation totals of 0.01 to 0.75 inches are expected, with the higher amounts predicted in the southwestern portion of the basin. 

Special Conditions
None

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Tuesday, 2026-01-06)

Submitted by admin1 on Tue, 01/06/2026 - 13:42

Situational Awareness (Tuesday, 2026-01-06)
According to information from the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center, no rain fell in the Potomac watershed above Little Falls during the past 24 hours.  Over the next 3 days, precipitation accumulations of 0.01 to 0.50 inches are expected, with the higher amounts predicted in the northwestern portion of the watershed. River flows are expected to rise toward the end of the coming week, with predicted watershed average accumulations of approximately 1/2 inch. 

SUSPENDING DAILY DROUGHT MONITORING; Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Saturday, 2025-12-27)

Submitted by admin1 on Sat, 12/27/2025 - 14:11

Situational Awareness (Saturday, 2025-12-27)
According to information from the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center (MARFC), Potomac River flow at the USGSs Point of Rocks gage will likely remain about CO-OP’s daily drought reporting threshold of 2000 cfs for the next week. Therefore, we are suspending daily drought monitoring and reporting for the time being. 

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Friday, 2025-12-26)

Submitted by snummer on Fri, 12/26/2025 - 13:53

Situational Awareness (Friday, 2025-12-26)
According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center, trace amounts of rainfall fell in the basin over the past 24 hours. Over the next 3 days, the average rainfall may be around 0.1 inches, with greater accumulations occurring in northern portions of the basin. 

Special Conditions
None