DROUGHT EXERCISE - Afternoon simulated Potomac flow and demand update (Tuesday 08/27/2013)
This afternoon's report concludes the 2013 CO-OP drought exercise. Our thanks and appreciation goes out to everyone who participated in the exercise!
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.
DROUGHT EXERCISE - Afternoon simulated Potomac flow and demand update (Monday 08/26/2013)
SIMULATED: Flow is currently holding steady. There are no changes to recommended utility operations this afternoon.
THE FLOWS, DEMANDS, AND DISCHARGES REPORTED BELOW REFLECT ACTUAL CONDITIONS:
DROUGHT EXERCISE - Afternoon simulated Potomac flow and demand update (Sunday 08/25/2013)
(SIMULATED CONDITIONS AND OPERATIONS:) Natural flow in the river has continued to rise, due to the arrival today of the North Branch reservoir release, and flow at Little Falls is currently at 263 cfs (170 MGD). Because of the improvement in flow conditions, Washington Aqueduct will be shifting a portion of its withdrawal back to its Great Falls intake this afternoon.
DROUGHT EXERCISE - Afternoon simulated Potomac flow and demand update (Saturday 08/24/2013)
The National Weather Service estimates that 0.25 to 2.0 inches of rain fell in some areas in the western portion of the basin this morning. Operational recommendations have changed from this morning's email.
THE FLOWS, DEMANDS, AND DISCHARGES REPORTED BELOW REFLECT ACTUAL CONDITIONS:
DROUGHT EXERCISE - Afternoon simulated Potomac flow and demand update (Friday 08/23/2013)
The National Weather Service estimates that 1 to 2 inches of rain fell in some areas in the western portion of the basin this morning, and it predicts that the western portion of the basin will receive up to 1/2 inch of additional rain over the coming 24 hours.
An ACTUAL release from Little Seneca Reservoir of 125 MGD was initiated today at approximately 11 AM. The duration of the release will be 12 hours.
THE FLOWS, DEMANDS, AND DISCHARGES REPORTED BELOW REFLECT ACTUAL CONDITIONS:
DROUGHT EXERCISE - Afternoon simulated Potomac flow and demand update (Thursday 08/22/2013)
There are no significant changes in this afternoon's weather and flow forecasts, and operational recommendations remain the same as reported in this morning's email.
Daily Flows:
Little Falls gage flow 08/21: 1670 MGD (2580 cfs)
Little Falls gage flow 08/22: 1620 MGD (est., based on most recently available real time data) (2500 cfs)
Note: Gage flow at Little Falls is measured after water supply withdrawals.
Point of Rocks flow 08/21: 1740 MGD (2690 cfs)
Point of Rocks flow 08/22: 1860 MGD (est., based on recently available real time data) (2880 cfs)
DROUGHT EXERCISE - Afternoon simulated Potomac flow and demand update (Wednesday 08/21/2013)
The weather and flow forecasts and operational recommendations remain the same as reported in this morning's email.
Daily Flows:
Little Falls gage flow 08/20: 1820 MGD (2820 cfs)
Little Falls gage flow 08/21: 1680 MGD (est., based on most recently available real time data) (2600 cfs)
Note: Gage flow at Little Falls is measured after water supply withdrawals.
Point of Rocks flow 08/20: 2080 MGD (3220 cfs)
Point of Rocks flow 08/21: 2040 MGD (est., based on recently available real time data) (3160 cfs)
Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Friday 10/19/2012)
Due to a combination of the recent rainfall and yesterday's USGS rating curve revision, flow at Point of Rocks is now at 3,270 cfs (2,114 MGD). The Little Falls gage is currently showing 2,900 cfs (1,875 MGD). Over the last 24 hours the majority of the basin received between 0.25 and 1.25 inches of rain. A few isolated areas received up to 1.75 inches of rain. We are, therefore, discontinuing daily monitoring. Thank you for continuing to participate in the basin's cooperative drought operations efforts.
Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Thursday 10/18/2012)
Trace amounts of rain fell in a localized area near Goose and Seneca creeks yesterday. There was no other precipitation in the basin. The MARFC 72-hour and 5-day forecasts indicate a chance of rain across the entire basin. Predicted amounts range from trace to one inch.
Daily Potomac flow and demand update (Wednesday 10/17/2012)
Some precipitation fell in the basin yesterday, though still mainly in the eastern portion. These areas received trace amounts to a quarter of an inch of rain. The Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center's 72-hour and five-day forecasts show a chance of 0.5 to 1 inch of rain across most of the Potomac basin is possible.