Drought Watch for MCOG and ICPRB

 

On July 26, 2024, the Drought Coordination Committee of the Metropolitan Council of Governments declared a Drought Watch calling for voluntary water conservation measures by residents of the DC Metropolitan region. This is the second level in COG’s four-stage regional drought response plan. On July 29^th the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) joined in asking residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce their water use due to the area’s dry conditions.

During periods of drought, the ICPRB in the form of 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 reservoirs when forecasted flow in the river is not sufficient to meet expected water demands and the required environmental flow-by of 100 million gallons per day.  The CO-OP begins daily Drought Monitoring when flow at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gage at Point of Rocks, Maryland, falls  2,000 cubic feet per second yesterday it was 1720 cubic feet per second. N in fell in the Potomace River basin the day befotr. According to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center we may see may see an additional 0.3 inches of rain in the next three days.  

The Wednesday update indicated that:

Fairfax Water Corbalis withdrawal - Potomac: 116 MGD
WSSC Water Potomac withdrawal: 145 MGD
Washington Aqueduct withdrawal - Great Falls: 101 MGD
Washington Aqueduct withdrawal - Little Falls: 49 MGD
Loudoun Water withdrawal: 13 MGD
Loudoun Water Broad Run discharge: 6 MGD
Total Potomac withdrawal: 424 MGD
Total net Potomac withdrawal: 418 MGD

With a little bit of rain in the forecast it is hoped that  conditions will not continue to deteriorate; however if they do, the CO-OP would begin Drought Operations. This occurs when flow in the Potomac River at the at Little Falls dam drops below the total metropolitan area supplier daily Potomac River withdrawals plus the 100 million gallons per day flow-by, or when CO-OP flow forecasts indicate that there is a significant chance that releases from Jennings Randolph and/or Little Seneca reservoirs will be needed within the next ten days.

I believe that with even the limited rain in the forecast we are going to skate through this Drought Warning, too,. Nonetheless, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, almost 70% of the Potomac River watershed is in either Severe or Extreme drought. Both COG and ICPRB recommend the residents and business reduce water use:

·       Prioritize your outdoor watering. Only water newly planted trees, shrubs, and lawns. A slow drip (versus a heavy pour) will allow the water to reach the root system and not run off the soil.
·       Check faucets and toilets for leaks.
·       Take short showers instead of baths.
·       Run the dishwasher and laundry only when full. Reducing water use will help protect the area’s water supply as well as the aquatic ecosystems of local rivers and streams.

The recommendations are for both public water users and private well owners.