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 (Monday 08/09/2010)

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 08/09/2010 - 09:00

There was no significant rainfall in the Potomac River basin over the past 24 hours. National Weather Service forecasts predict 1/10 of an inch of rain over the next 48 hours in portions of the Potomac basin. The Mid-Atlantic River Forecasting Center quantitative precipitation forecasts (qpfs) indicate that the entire basin will receive amounts between 1 and 1.75 inches over the next 5 days. The U. S. Geological Survey observed flows suggest that flow at Little Falls will hold steady for the next couple of days.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Sunday 08/08/2010)

Submitted by admin1 on Sun, 08/08/2010 - 09:00

There was no significant rainfall in the Potomac River basin over the past 24 hours. Weather forecasts have not changed since yesterday. National Weather Service forecasts predict accumulations of 1/10 to 1/4 inches of rain over the next 48 hours in the headwaters of the Shenandoah and the South Branch of the Potomac, and 1/10 to 1/2 inches over the entire basin during the next 5 days.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Saturday 08/07/2010)

Submitted by admin1 on Sat, 08/07/2010 - 09:00

There was no significant rainfall in the Potomac River basin over the past 24 hours. National Weather Service forecasts predict accumulations of 1/10 to 1/4 inches of rain over the next 48 hours in the headwaters of the Shenandoah and the South Branch of the Potomac, and 1/10 to 1/2 inches over the entire basin during the next 5 days.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Friday 08/06/2010)

Submitted by admin1 on Fri, 08/06/2010 - 09:00

Fast-moving thunderstorms went through the Washington region yesterday. Approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain fell in Prince Georges County, Montgomery County, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Other areas in the basin received lesser amounts of rainfall (0 and 0.5 inches) in the past 24 hours. The NOAA National Weather Forecast does not expect any showers or thunderstorms through the weekend.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Thursday 08/05/2010)

Submitted by admin1 on Thu, 08/05/2010 - 09:00

Flow at Point of Rocks has staid fairly steady over the past couple of days. In contrast, flow at Little Falls has risen due to recent rainfall but may fall in the near future. Yesterday, precipitation amounts of 1 to 1.5 inches fell near northern Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, and some neighboring counties and down near the Washington, D.C. area. But most of the basin received 0 to 0.5 inches of rain. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the basin for the next several days.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Wednesday 08/04/2010)

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 08/04/2010 - 09:00

Due to a USGS database problem, the mean flows at both Point of Rocks and Little Falls are unavailable for 08/03. Flow values for these dates are taken from the most recent hourly reading from real time data. Precipitation amounts between 0 and 1/4 inch fell over most of the basin over the past 24 hours (ending 8 AM on Aug 4). Precipitation amounts between 0.5 and 1.5 inches fell over areas closer to Washington, D.C. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the basin for the next several days.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Tuesday 08/03/2010)

Submitted by admin1 on Tue, 08/03/2010 - 09:00

There was no significant rainfall in the Potomac River basin over the past 24 hours, and flows at both Point of Rocks and Little Falls continue to fall. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the basin for the next several days. The Mid-Atlantic River Forecasting Center quantitative precipitation forecasts (qpfs) indicate that most of the basin may receive new rainfall amounts between a 1/4 to 3/4 inches over the next 5 days. The Savage Reservoir white water release scheduled for August 1st was canceled.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Monday 08/02/2010)

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 08/02/2010 - 09:00

There was no significant rainfall in the Potomac River basin over the past 24 hours, and flows at both Point of Rocks and Little Falls continue to fall. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the basin for the next several days. The Mid-Atlantic River Forecasting Center quantitative precipitation forecasts (qpfs) indicate that most of the basin will receive up to 1/4 inch of rain over the next 48 hours and between 1/4 to 3/4 inches over the next 5 days.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Sunday 08/01/2010)

Submitted by admin1 on Sun, 08/01/2010 - 09:00

Flows at Point of Rocks and Little Falls continue to fall. Most of the basin received little or no rain over the last 24 hours, though accumulations of up to 0.25 inches were reported in a few locations. According to National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts, there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the Potomac basin both today and tomorrow. However, the Mid-Atlantic River Forecasting Center quantitative precipitation forecasts (qpfs) indicate accumulations of only trace amounts over the next 48 hours.

Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Saturday 07/31/2010)

Submitted by admin1 on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 09:00

Little Falls flow is falling from yesterday's higher daily average and is currently at 1480 cfs. Yesterday, the basin received little or no rain. There is a chance of thunderstorms this weekend, and the National Weather Service (NWS) quantitative precipitation forecasts (qpf) indicate that the majority of the basin may receive from 0.01 to 0.5 inch of rain over the next 48 hours.