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