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 (Sunday, 2024-07-07)

Submitted by hmoltz on Sun, 07/07/2024 - 12:06

Situational Awareness (Sunday, 2024-07-07)
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 0.1 inches. Approximately 1.5 inches of rain is expected in the basin over the next 7 days.

Special Conditions:
The Savage River Dam is scheduled to have a whitewater release today, July 7, from 10am to 2pm.  For more information, visit https://www.nab-wc.usace.army.mil/nab/northBranch.html.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Saturday, 2024-07-06)

Submitted by hmoltz on Sat, 07/06/2024 - 12:07

Situational Awareness (Saturday, 2024-07-06):
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 0.1 inches. The week-long outlook expects a total of approximately 0.7 inches of rain in the basin.

Special conditions:
The Savage River Dam is scheduled to have a whitewater release on Sunday, July 7 (https://www.nab-wc.usace.army.mil/nab/northBranch.html).

Initiation of daily Potomac flow and demand update (Friday, 2024-07-05)

Submitted by admin1 on Fri, 07/05/2024 - 12:39

Situational Awareness (Friday, 2024-07-05):
CO-OP is re-initiating daily drought monitoring and reporting today because Potomac River flow at the US Geological Survey’s gage at Point of Rocks, Maryland, has fallen below 2000 cubic feet per second (cfs), CO-OP's daily monitoring threshold. 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 0.1 inches. The week-long outlook expects a total of approximately 0.8 inches of rain in the basin.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Sunday, 2024-06-30)

Submitted by admin1 on Sun, 06/30/2024 - 08:52

Situational Awareness (Sunday, 2024-06-30)
Substantial rainfall was recorded overnight and early this morning in the northeastern parts of the basin. It is expected that the entire basin will receive an average of 0.8 inches of rain by the end of the day. River flows at the Points of Rock gage have increased to 2930 cfs. We will continue to monitor flows over the next day.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Friday, 2024-06-28)

Submitted by admin1 on Fri, 06/28/2024 - 12:07

Situational Awareness (Friday, 2024-06-28)
Dry conditions persist. According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predictions, average rainfall in the portion of the Potomac basin above Little Falls will total 0.3 inches over the next 24 hours and 0.5 inches over the next 3 days. The week-long outlook expects a total of approximately 0.7 inches.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Thursday, 2024-06-27)

Submitted by admin1 on Thu, 06/27/2024 - 14:20

Situational Awareness (Thursday, 2024-06-27)
Potomac River flows continue to slowly decline due to persistent dry conditions. According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predictions, a basin-wide average of 0.3 inches of rain is expected over the next 24 hours and 0.5 inches over the next three days. The week-long outlook calls for approximately 0.7 inches of rain in the basin above Little Falls.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Wednesday, 2024-06-26)

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 06/26/2024 - 12:50

Situational Awareness (Wednesday, 2024-06-26):
According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center predictions, the next 24 hours may see 0.2 inches of rain. Over the next 3 days, the average basin rainfall may be around 0.5 inches. The week-long outlook expects a total of approximately 0.7 inches of rain in the basin.