Pollution has long plagued the 382-mile-long Potomac, the second largest river feeding into the Chesapeake Bay, the nation’s largest estuary. Searchable listings of Potomac River RV parks and campgrounds. It’s one of our favorite times of year. The recent sickening act of sedition by President Trump and his enablers, and attempted coup by domestic terrorists must be forcefully and unequivocally rejected. A critical part of ICPRB’s mission is to educate the public on key issues within the Potomac watershed. The historic White’s Ferry, the last remaining ferry service to travel between Virginia and Maryland across the Potomac River, announced on Monday that it would be ceasing operations. There are few threats scarier in today’s world than climate change. Heavy rainstorms also cause runoff and sediment pollution, both in the Potomac and in local streams. To get the river’s health trajectory back on track, the report has five main recommendations: Invest in clean water as a public health priority; protect healthy forests; plant streamside trees to collect runoff; defend and strengthen laws that protect waterways; and plan river-friendly communities. Over 70 lives were lost that day as the plane crashed into the 14th Street Bridge and slammed into the frozen Potomac River. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. We’ll keep you updated on local river news, wildlife, and fun outdoor events. Wetlands and streams had been bulldozed, filled in, and destroyed. Polluted runoff remains the only growing source of pollution to the Potomac, but other things are threatening the river and our local streams. Increasing temperatures and changing precipitation… Correlation of monthly discharge, Potomac River, water years 1946 50. Searchable listings of Potomac River RV parks and campgrounds. She is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she studied journalism and opera. White’s Ferry started shuttling passengers across the Potomac River in the 1700s. Good we made progress since then. If you’re interested in working to eliminate invasive plants, consider becoming a certified weed warrior. They are native to Asia and have no natural predators in our region, so scientists initially feared that they would cause catastrophic declines in the populations of their prey - which include everything from other fish to crustaceans, small birds, mammals, and reptiles. Yes, in fact, it’s better that you’re not an expert. Scientists say … Find out why, six other tips for talking about climate action, and how to get involved today in our local movement on climate. Industrial and agricultural pollution are down, native fish and other animals are returning, and more families than ever … For the first time in ten years, the Potomac River is more polluted than it was two years ago. The public is encouraged to catch and kill snakeheads and blue catfish, and regulations make it illegal to transport these species across state lines. Locally, Montgomery County, DC, and Virginia have all committed to the Paris Climate Agreement, an international commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow climate change. The Potomac, as with other urban rivers in the 1960s, was little more than a way to convey trash and pollutants downstream. You will receive our next monthly River Update e-newsletter. The Potomac faces many environmental problems as a result of population growth and its resulting pressures on land and water resources. CARROLL COUNTY HAS A PROBLEM: POLLUTED RUNOFF Polluted runoff from urban and suburban areas is the second largest source of water pollution in Carroll County’s creeks and rivers. The Hill on MSN.com. Find out how. The Potomac River has many access points throughout the DC area, including in the East and West Potomac parks (both easily accessed on foot from the National Mall). Just ten years earlier, it got a D. About three-quarters of this area’s drinking water is pulled from the Potomac… The good news is that the Potomac is healthier than it’s been in decades. The information below is for the public to learn more about the issues that the Potomac and its residents face. Flooding along the georgetown waterfront in april 2011. But there's one part of the country that's bucking the trend. The Potomac Conservancy, which released the 2020 Potomac River Report Card, said more polluted runoff from urban and suburban areas and fewer trees to slow and filter rainfall were among the factors causing the grade to slip. Let’s make this holiday season a tad greener this year. Check out this list of how to prepare for cold weather, new activities to try, wildlife you can only spot in the winter, and even how to stay in touch with the natural world when you’re determined to stay indoors. USGS 01646500 POTOMAC RIVER NEAR WASH, DC LITTLE FALLS PUMP STA. The Potomac River supports steady populations of shad, white perch and other popular game fish. Thank you! EDCs can find their way into the Potomac through polluted runoff and the wastewater treatment process. Find out how five common critters spend the winter. We’ve got lots of suggestions for self-care methods for nature lovers, and tips and resources for how to do them in a river-friendly way. But while the Conservancy’s report describes the river as “on the mend,” it’s “not in the clear”—and still unsafe for swimming or fishing. Since 2011, the … All Rights Reserved. Bear with us, this is about to get a little strange. Ten years ago, the Potomac Conservancy rated the river’s health with a “D” grade. There are unknown chemicals in the Potomac that are causing hermaphroditic fish — male fish with female eggs. They are top predators, can weigh over 100 pounds, and are expanding rapidly throughout the region. What lurks below the surface in the potomac? Where shad continue to struggle in the James River and other Chesapeake Bay tributaries, they are thriving in the Potomac. But it can also be — dare we say it — a wasteful time of year. The Potomac is tidal from just below the Chain Bridge in Washington, D.C. to the Chesapeake Bay. For the first time in ten years, the Potomac River is more polluted than it was two years ago. Though shuttered for a year, a Western Maryland paper mill’s byproducts continue to pollute the Potomac River, Maryland Attorney General Brian … Solution: Scientists are studying intersex fish, and, while the exact cause is up for debate, there are a few actions you can take now to help: keep plastics and trash out of our waterways by volunteering for cleanups; advocate for enhancements to wastewater treatment facilities; reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides; and install nature-based filtration solutions that capture and filter pollution before it gets to the river. PERIOD OF RECORD.--March 1930 to current year. Potomac River near Washington, D. C., drainage area 11,560 square miles 100 Figure 2. # Fish species like shad and white perch are … Plant a tree, restore a shoreline, or help us conserve vital land in the headwaters. Searchable listings of Potomac River hotels, motels, resorts, bed & breakfast, and more. The frequent fish consumption advisories, annual fish kills, nuisance algal blooms, swimming prohibitions, and the impaired Chesapeake Bay … Author: topper shutt Published: 7:37 PM EST January 13, 2021 Increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are expected to cause more extreme droughts and floods. The Potomac originates 385 river miles northwest of Wash ington in the hills where Ma ryland and West Virginia abut Pennsylvania. The river adds life and personality to Washington DC. Clean energy technologies, continued investment in climate science, increased education and awareness, and strong regulatory frameworks are all essential to limit our carbon emissions. © 2021, Potomac Conservancy, Silver Spring, MD. In the past, however, this river was heavily polluted and unsanitary. A new report named the Potomac the nation’s most endangered river, saying it is threatened by nutrient and sediment pollution that lowers the quality of … Use our easy Lodging Search to find exactly the type of accommodation you are looking for at the right price. Potomac Conservancy President Hedrick Belin reflects on the presidential election, what nature can teach us during periods of transition, and what needs to be done for clean water as we look to the future. Invasive plants, like English Ivy, can choke out and kill native trees, which are important in filtering polluted water and stabilizing riverbanks. Ah, the holidays. Find out why clean water matters to civil rights advocates and how you can help uphold Dr. King’s legacy through action. More than 40 years later, the river still has issues, but it’s much cleaner—earning a B in the Potomac Conservancy’s most recent report card, issued in 2018. Amelia joined Potomac River Partners in 2019. Have you ever wondered how our local critters get through the winter? More extreme weather will also make it difficult for vulnerable, native species to compete with hardy invasives. Invasive plants and animals, many of which were introduced to our area from elsewhere — other states, countries, or continents — are species that harm the local environment. Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday. These contaminants, found in everyday products such as medicines, cosmetics, and in agricultural chemicals, interfere with normal biological processes by disrupting the hormonal (endocrine) systems that control growth, reproduction, and development in all vertebrate species, including fish and humans. ). And this isn’t just happening to a few fish here and there. As per the AAEP article on Potomac Horse Fever, “Originally described in 1979 as a sporadic disease affecting horses residing in the eastern United States near the Potomac River, the disease has since been identified in various other geographic locations in the United States and Canada. Unfortunately, much of it is making its way into our rivers, causing serious threats to wildlife and public health, a new study found. And we need you to help combat future threats — big and small. As water levels are rising, the land is also sinking, making the effects even more severe in our area. It's happening in rivers up and down the East Coast. The 12-month cumulative basin precipitation is 0.2 inches above normal as of September 30. Many of these chemicals are not removed from drinking water by standard water treatment methods. We often get the question: what exactly is plaguing the Potomac? The Chesapeake Bay's Smallmouth Bass Woes - Potomac, MD - Fisheries biologists, anglers and fishing guides from MD, VA, WV, and PA came together to … … In this incredibly stressful year, it’s important to indulge in nature’s restorative powers and take time to unwind. “If you came up the Potomac toward Georgetown … Ask most Americans to name the river flowing through the nation’s capital, and they’ll likely say the Potomac. Cliff Canyon, a beautifully rugged 755 acres in Pendleton County, WV is now permanently protected from development by a conservation easement. Searchable listings of Potomac River hotels, motels, resorts, bed & breakfast, and more. Invasive plants also destroy native habitat and harm local wildlife. Today the Potomac is a beautiful River where you can enjoy a nice walk along it and have a good boat trip as well. The fish are helpful indicators of changes in the river’s health — to a degree. The problem has been exacerbated by deforestation and urban sprawl combined with higher-than-usual precipitation. Many local biologists argue blue catfish are the bigger threat to the Potomac. Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Local Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Trivia. WASHINGTON — The Potomac River just got its report card, and the news is quite good.. Snakeheads have sharp teeth and can survive on land and in extreme temperatures (-22 F to 104 F), giving them a leg up as our weather becomes more volatile. The Potomac River is also threatened by invasive fish, including the snakehead and blue catfish. TIME OF TRAVEL OF WATER IN THE POTOMAC, RIVER, CUMBERLAND TO WASHINGTON discharge near Washington. Streamflow is currently above normal, and groundwater levels are normal with some local exceptions. Solution: We wish we had better news, but there is no quick solution to this one. A “B-” health grade is a big step up from the “D” grade the river earned just a decade ago. Now more than ever, we all need the mental and physical health benefits of getting outside. Our collective voices are already making huge strides for local, 3 threats to the Potomac River with serious scare potential, install nature-based filtration solutions, blue catfish are the bigger threat to the Potomac, As water levels are rising, the land is also sinking, help us conserve vital land in the headwaters, 7 tricks for talking about the climate crisis...so that people will listen, Genuinely useful tips for getting outside this winter, Potomac Conservancy statement in defense of free and fair elections, Potomac Conservancy and partners protect 755 acres in West Virginia, 4 ways Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. left his mark on the environmental movement, Surprising ways 5 local critters survive the cold, Study finds the Potomac is getting saltier, threatening drinking water and wildlife, What nature can teach us in this moment of transition, 7 brilliant ways to relax, destress, and help the Potomac River (at the same time! There are few threats scarier in today’s world than climate change. We'll help you live your best #DCLIFE every day, Capitol Riot Suspect Arrested in DC Airport After Bizarre Series of Events, Biden Removes Trump’s Diet Coke Button—and Makes a Few Other Changes to the Oval Office. Check out 10 simple tips and tricks from our staff for memorable, river-friendly holiday season. The Potomac River (/ p ə ˈ t oʊ m ə k / ()) is found within the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and flows from the Potomac Highlands into the Chesapeake Bay.The river (main stem and North Branch) is approximately 405 miles (652 km) long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles (38,000 km 2). Talk about scary. If you’re looking for a frightening Halloween costume, look no further. But how can you take advantage of the winter outdoors without it feeling like a chore? Before joining Washingtonian, she wrote for Smithsonian Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times. While Dr. King is best known for his role in civil rights actions like the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington, he also cared deeply about the environment and left his mark on the conservation movement. Solutions: More investments are needed to study and combat invasive species. Twenty-five percent of the Bay’s nutrient pollution and 34 percent of its sediment pollution comes from the Potomac River. Jane is a Chicago transplant who now calls Cleveland Park her home. A strict commercial harvest ban, initiated in the 1980s in both Maryland and Virginia began a long-term recovery effort. Learn why three non-profit organizations formed a partnership to fight for this special parcel of land. In the Upper Potomac River wastershed, about 21 percent of the nitrogen pollution comes from polluted runoff, and 24 percent of the phosphorus pollution. The upper reaches of … She focuses on the operations of the company, managing finance, human resources, monitoring, and business development functions. The impact on human health is largely unknown. Thanks to decades of hard work following the Clean Water Act of 1972, many indicators of the Potomac’s health are trending in the right direction. Everything You Need to Know About the New First and Second Families, The Internet Is Freaking Out Over Bernie Sanders Social Distancing in His Mittens, DC’s International Spy Museum Will Reopen This Weekend, WAMU Dismisses Two People as Result of Investigation Into Workplace Culture, Anthony Fauci Sure Looks Happy in the Biden Administration, Maryland Congressman Andy Harris Tried to Bring a Gun Into the House Chamber. This “intersex” fish phenomenon is likely caused by endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) found in our local waterways. With dwindling funds and a lack of resources, many National Park sites in our area are being overrun by these plants. In the long term, rising sea levels could have a drastic impact on the District. Ever wonder where all that salt on the roads goes? Amelia keeps an eye on the big picture and looks for ways to improve efficiency in order to ensure that the Potomac team can focus on producing client work. Snakeheads like this one. The cleanliness of the Potomac has long been an issue, exacerbated by the doubled flow of the District’s raw, partially treated sewage into the river between 1932 and 1956, according to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. The Trump administration’s environmental rollbacks also have “worrying negative impacts” for the river, a PR rep for the Conservancy said. Those threats include polluted stormwater from urban and suburban areas, which is the fasting growing cause. We’re on our way to a swimmable, fishable river, but we’re not in the clear. More than four years ago, Dean Naujoks, your Potomac Riverkeeper, first discovered that the toxic coal ash pits at the Dominion Plant at Possum Point in Northern Virginia were leaking into the Potomac and contaminating the drinking water wells of people living nearby. “Stalled progress could signal a dangerous reversal in course for the river’s health if threats aren’t addressed,” the report says. Make a difference in your community by taking a local action that will help return clean water to the Potomac! Some of the best relaxation activities can also help our local environment…if you do them right. And some of the threats are downright monstrous. Can you make a difference for our climate if you’re not an energy policy wonk or oceanographer? Based on data from 2018 and 2019, heavier-than-average rainfall likely played an outsized role in the outcome, too. Overall pollution levels are decreasing, fisheries are rebounding, and recreational opportunities along the river are growing. Potomac Conservancy has served the DC, DC Metro, and greater Potomac River region for over 25 years and we take threats to our community seriously. According to the Potomac River “Report Card” the Potomac Conservancy releases every two years, the health of the river has declined from a “B” to a “B-” rating. President Lyndon B. Johnson had a different perspective back in 1965, when he called the Potomac “a national disgrace” because of the polluted water that filled the channel. In 1969, another urban river, the Cuyahoga, burned. Whether it’s packing on the pounds, getting out of Dodge, or cozying up with some friends, Mother Nature has quite an amazing response to the cold. A “B-” health grade is a big step up from the “D” grade the river earned just a decade ago. Use our easy Lodging Search to find exactly the type of accommodation you are looking for at the right price. Potomac Conservancy President Hedrick Belin described the state of the Potomac in the 1960s. The river that provides 90 percent of the drinking water to the Washington, DC, metro area was overrun with algae and trash.The headwaters of the river may have suffered even more. Average precipitation in the Potomac Basin in September was 1.3 inches below normal. It closed Monday. Why Were Last Night’s Inauguration Fireworks So Amazing? The region’s leading clean water advocate, fighting to ensure the Potomac River boasts clean drinking water, healthy lands, and connected communities. Snakeheads were introduced to the Potomac River in 2004. Some local communities are already flooding more often and faster than they have in the past. Available data for this site Click to hide station-specific text DRAINAGE AREA.--11,560 mi 2. Though they make a tasty dinner, local officials recommend limiting your consumption because blue catfish meat contains toxins like mercury. 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