Report Water Chestnut Sightings on Potomac

The invasive water chestnut plant was found this summer in Pohick Bay, Va.

2014 State of the Nation's River: River Friendly Growth

According to the Potomac Conservancy's 2014 State of the Nation's River, it is estimated that by 2040 the population in areas surrounding the Potomac Watershed will increase by 2.3 million residents. If this explosive population growth is not planned correctly it could be catastrophic for the health of land, waterways, and drinking water sources.

Mine Pool Waters Threaten to Contaminate Potomac

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, in cooperation with the Maryland Bureau of Mines and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, recently completed a multi-year project to determine the risk of polluted water discharge from mine pools near the North Branch of the Potomac River.

Chesapeake Bay Hypoxia Report 2014

Sampling of the Chesapeake Bay in early-August 2014 found that the hypoxic volume (dead zone) in Maryland's portion of the Bay is above average. In fact it is the 8th largest recorded in 30 years of sampling for Maryland. This particular dead zone was most likely caused by mixing in the water column when Hurricane Arthur pass in July.

Potomac River Fisheries Commission Meeting

The next full (quarterly) meeting of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) is to be held Friday, December 5th, 2014 at 9:00 AM. It will take place at the PRFC headquarters, 222 Taylor Street, Colonial Beach, VA 22443. The public is invited, and highly encourage, to attend. 

Continued Concern for Dwindling Crab Populations

Concern over dwindling numbers of blue crab in the Potomac River continues to grow for Maryland and Virginia watermen. Some fishermen blame rockfish and catfish for eating juveniles, however, it is most likely a reduced number of spawning age females preventing the recovery of crab populations.

Analysis of the 2014 winter dredge survey, conducted by Maryland and Virignia, suggests that the number of spawning age females is well below the "safe level" of 70 million. For several years now the Potomac River Fisheries Commission has been working to reduce the number of female crabs caught by implementing harvest reductions. Unfortunately, the success of these reduction has been small, this year the number of females caught was reduced by only 8.9%.

Low crab numbers are driving prices up, due to a still high demand for crab meat, while putting crab fishermen out of business, as there's not enough for everyone to catch.

Read the original article: Despite Downturn, Some Local Watermen Optomistic

Maryland Blue Crab Moratorium?

Blue crab fishing in Maryland has been a struggle the past couple years, and there's a need for a solution to these low crab populations. Goucher College has proposed a  moratorium on crab fishing for a full year, and according to a poll taken by the college 63% of Maylanders are in support, but not by locals.

Potential Site for Recreational Boat Launch

Potomac River near Cumberland, MD.

Potential sites for a new recreational boat launch along the Potomac River behind Canal Place are being examined. An access point that includes paddling southeast across the existing portion of rewatered canal and exiting at the maintenance road that leads to the crest and railroad tracks is currently favored. At that point boaters would descend on a ramp that leads down to a grassy landing before entering the river.

In order for this to work, a ramp would need to be constructed on top of the flood control levee so that boaters can access the river bank. This will require the permission of CSX, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 

Park officials are currently studying the leakage problem at the Canal Basin, and think that the historic stone canal wall may need to be repointed. 

Officials hope a second launch site will be added above the dam beneath the Blue Bridge. 

Read the full article: Possible Boat Launch Sites Examined Along the Potomac River

Long Bridge Reconstruction

Photo came from the July 1983 Metro Memo Tabloid magazine, published by WMATA* 

The Long Bridge, which runs parallel to the 14th Street Bridge, is the only direct rail connection between Washington D.C. and Virginia.

Owned by CSX, the bridge sees 56 passenger and 23 freight trains each day, which is about 98 percent capacity at peak hours.  However, it is considered old and inadequate and in need to replacement.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has granted $2.8 million dollars for a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study to investigate the potential for

Determining the Maryland-Virginia Border

The Potomac River has long been considered the boundary between Maryland and Virginia. However, old and new court battles have raised the questions, when the river begins to shift and expose new land does the boundary also shift.

Potomac Shores, a corporation that owns land along the Potomac in Maryland, claimed to own a 150-foot strip of land that emerged on the southern side of the Potomac River bank as the river changed course. This area, known as Potomac Wayside, was commonly used as an

Contractor Sentenced to 10-months for Dumping National Mall Sewage in the Potomac

Potomac River at Great Falls.  Retrieved from: Dcist Photo Credit: Justin Shuck

Patrick Brightwell, manager of a contracting company, was hired hired by the National Park Service to clean the National Mall's storm water sewer system between 2009 to 2011.

Future Predictions of Flooding and Storm Surge Puts D.C. at Risk

Before sea level rise can permanently claim land its presence will be felt through higher and more frequent coastal floods caused by storm surges. Climate Central's September report, Washington, D.C. and the Surging Seas, makes predictions for potential record flooding along the Potomac River in the coming years based on local sea level rise projections of up to 4.0 feet by 2100 (based on sea level rise in 2012).

Currently, the region's record observed flood is 7.9 feet above the local high tide line. By 2100 floods exceeding today's record, up to 10 feet above the current local high tide line, may become annual events.

1,350 acres of land, $4.6 billion in property value, and 1,400 people reside less than 6 feet above the high tide line in Washington D.C. These figures increase to

Sewage Spill Leads to Cancellation of Nation's Triathlon Swimming Event

Photo Credit: MyFoxDC

Sewage overflow into the Potomac River is not uncommon during periods of heavy rain. Early this September, such an overflow occurred releasing sewage into the river for 15 minutes. Unfortunately for the athletes of the Nation's Triathlon, it takes roughly three days for the bacteria levels from sewage overflows to dissipate, which means the swimming portion of the race had to be cancelled.

Read the Article: Sewage Spill Caused Swimming to be Dropped from Nation's Triathlon 

Potomac Cleanup by Keep Loudoun Beautiful

(Photos: Keep Loudoun Beautiful)

On August 9th volunteers filled 35 canoes with trash to help assist a watershed cleanup organized by Keep Loudoun Beautiful (KLB).

High Levels of Contaminants Creating Intersex Fish

(Photo: C. Yamashita/Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commision)

Biological studies, conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) since 2003, have found small- and large- mouth bass with immature eggs within various sections of the Potomac River.

Frankenfish

The northern snakehead is an invasive species to the Potomac River basin in Virginia and Maryland. Nicknamed the "Frankenfish", the snakehead can breathe air and travel short distances on land, and is a voracious predator. This means that is can, and has, affect local, native fish populations, and has lead Maryland officials to promote the catch and removal of this species. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now creating is own official record for snakeheads, to hopefully encourage their capture.

Read the full article: Maryland seeks to lure anglers to join "Frankenfish" battle

Concern for the Future of Drinking Water in the DMV

Photo Credit: Lisa Spinelli/The Connection

Concern for the future availability, and affordability, of tap water to Potomac River residents is rising.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Warns Against Swimming in the Potomac

New Marina Raises Concern for Oysters

(Chesapeake Bay Program)

A new 143-slip marine is being planned for a 900-acre resort community in Charles county. The developer had already received approval for the marine in 2008, but due to the recession was never built, now the developer must apply for a permit renewal.

5 Million Gallons of Sewage Spilled into the Potomac

Photo by Justin Schuck, obtained through DCist

A break in the Upper Potomac Interceptor caused roughly five million gallons of sewage to spill into the Potomac River. Before reaching the river, the spilled sewage ran over the Capital Crescent Trail, sections of the trail are now closed until cleanup is completed and the interceptor is repaired. The cleanup and repairs are estimated to take at least a week to complete and there is an advisory to avoid contact with Potomac River water for at least 72 hours.

Fracking the George Washington National Forest

The Washington D.C. city council passed a resolution opposing fracking in the George Washington National forest, a 1.1 million-acre forest, that contains headwaters of the Potomac River, the sole source of drinking water for the nation's capital.

26th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup

Volunteers are needed to assist with the 26th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup that will occur on April 5, from 9am to 12pm.

2014 Cleanup Sites Include:

Potomac River Watershed Cleanup at Cobb Island

Potomac River Watershed Cleanup at Chapel Point State Park; site leader requests volunteers RSVP

Mallows Bay Clean Up (New in 2014); site leader requests volunteers RSVP

Potomac River Watershed Cleanup in Nanjemoy

Riverside in Nanjemoy Potomac River Watershed Cleanup at St. Ignatius/Chapel Point; site leader requests volunteers RSVP

You can find more information HERE

Trout Stocking Schedules

Trout stocking schedules are now available, and include portions of the Potomac River.

Maryland Spring 2014 Trout Stocking Schedule

West Virginia's 2014 Trout Stocking Schedule

Potomac Water-quality Workshop

The Potomac River Fisheries Commission is holding a Water Quality Information Exchange that will be open to the public. Up for discussion is the impact water quality of the Potomac River on aquatic life and those making a living on the tidal portion of the river. This includes, sources of pollution, current Potomac water quality, clean-up efforts, and ways for commercial fishermen and water quality agencies to work together to identify and work with issues such as algae blooms and fish kills.

Georgetown 2028

Georgetown 2028, is a 15-year strategic plan to revitalize and develop the historically and commercially important district. Some of the ideas (listed below) drawn up in the plan include new bridges, and modes of transport that may affect traffic flow across the Potomac.

Protecting the Potomac and Anacostia rivers from below

Remarkable engineering to fix an old, old problem.

WSSC Being Sued for Illegal Sludge Dumping in the Potomac

A lawsuit was against the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) on Wednesday, alleging that the one of the company's water-treatment plants have been illegally dumping sludge into the Potomac River, violating their state permit.

D.C. Clean Rivers Project: Adding Green Infrastructure

The D.C. Clean Rivers Project was initiated in 2003, with a plan to construct three tunnels that would help prevent water pollution in the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, and Rock Creek by reducing sewer overflow caused by rainfall. Currently, 1.5 billion gallons of combined sewage overflows into the Anacostia River annually. The D.C. Clean Rivers Project is projected to curb that by 98% by 2022, if completed on schedule. D.C. Water has been exploring modifications to the original plan. They want to use green infrastructure, which utilizes construction above ground, such as rain gardens, green roofs, infiltration basins, and bio retention facilities.  

Fracking of the Taylorsville Basin

The Shore Exploration and Production Corporation has secured over 80,000 acres of leased land with the plan to drill for oil and natural gas in the Taylorsville Basin. The land they have leased covers large portions of Virginia's coastal plain, from the Northern Neck along the Potomac River to northeast of Richmond. 

Dyke Marsh Restoration

The National Park Service has release a draft of the Dyke Marsh wetland restoration and long-term management plan and environmental impact for along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. They are calling for public review of the draft, asking for input on potential issues that might arise from the implementation of the plan and possible alternatives. There will be a 60-day comment period, along with a public meeting (hosted by NPS) on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at Indigo Landing-Washington Sailing Marine from 6:30-8:30.

Source: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=20293

Potomac Conservancy's State of the Nation's River Report

The Potomac Conservancy's 2013 State of the Nation’s River report, which assesses the health of the Potomac River, gave the Potomac river an overall grade of C (improved from the previous grade, D). In their assessment Potomac Conservancy focuses on three fish species, American shad, striped bass, and white perch, all of which have seen increases in their populations since 2012 and received a grade C or higher. Pollution levels have also shown improvement with large reductions in pollutant indicators, such as nitrogen. However, natural habitats, that play a key role in reducing the pollution of the river, remain well below the goals of the Potomac Rivers Watershed Improvement Plan .