Bare, eroding shorelines dump harmful runoff and sediment into our waterways, ruining nearby fishing grounds and polluting the Potomac River, the source of drinking water for you and nearly 6 million residents. Headwaters to confluence with the Potomac River: 4: Scenic-Scenic portions of the river appear similar to that in George Washington's time. The Potomac, as with other urban rivers in the 1960s, was little more than a way to convey trash and pollutants downstream. Way out in the western part of the state, we see a small body of water [Point to river up near Hagerstown on the map] that winds its way down, separating Maryland from Virginia. After 13 miles of tunnels are built in the Anacostia River, the focus will turn toward the Potomac River and Rock Creek. 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 … There might not be ghosts and ghouls polluting the Potomac, but the threats that are out there are downright monstrous. This spells bad news for our waters. The overall grade has been weighted to account for non-quantifiable, inaccessible, or outdated data on water quality threats. All rights reserved. Chris Lowden: Web Development The Potomac Conservancy, which released the 2020 Potomac River Report Card, said more polluted runoff from urban and suburban areas and fewer trees to … © 2021, Potomac Conservancy, Silver Spring, MD. What's plaguing the Potomac River? The pollution of the Potomac was believed to stem from a series of issues including run-off water carrying pesticides and plastics into the river. LUKE — Legal actions taken this year are designed to rectify two alleged pollution hot spots along the Potomac River in the vicinity of Luke. about 35 miles" above Great Falls, there is a considerable source of pollution, both from the settlement and Is is safe? Human population growth impacts water sources because . When will there be waterslides into the river??? Available data for this site Click to hide station-specific text DRAINAGE AREA.--11,560 mi 2. Their shade keeps water temperatures cool and they provide important habitat for fish and local wildlife. Environmentalists say the coal plant is responsible for polluting the Potomac River. Although this activity relates the story of the Potomac River and the history of Washington, D.C., Hear how hanging upside down in dirty water changed an Alexandria resident’s relationship with the Potomac, and how you can join her in being a true neighbor to our hometown river. And our climate crisis is only making rains and storms more intense and harder to manage. A 2014 report titled “State of the Nation’s River,” released by the Potomac Conservancy, expressed worry about continued contributors to river pollution, including aging sewage infrastructure and the disappearance of healthy forests, which prevent runoff. We combine the grassroots power of 31,000 supporters with local conservation and policy initiatives to safeguard drinking water sources, protect healthy forests, and provide outdoor spaces that are safe and welcoming for everyone. For the first time in generations, our community is close to enjoying a swimmable, fishable Potomac River – but we need to act now to make this vision a reality. *We left out one egregious example: Billions of gallons of raw diluted sewage enter the Potomac River every year through Combined Sewage Overflows (CSOs). Geologic-Cliffs (near Purse State Park for example) expose fossil-bearing strata. 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. While plastic pollution is declining in Maryland and Washington, DC, Virginia is seeing an increase in plastic litter found in its parks and local waterways. Upper Potomac Riverkeeper Brent Walls stands in the North Branch of the Potomac River at the wastewater outfall that served the Luke, MD, … We've made a lot of progress when it comes stopping polluters from spoiling our rivers. Unfortunately, much of it is making its way into our rivers, causing serious threats to wildlife and public health, a new study found. PERIOD OF RECORD.--March 1930 to current year. Polluted runoff from agricultural lands, including cow and chicken feces, remains the single largest contributor to pollution in the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. It could be your lawn. Clean water solution: On your next outdoor adventure, do the Potomac a solid and bring a reusable water bottle, pick up your dog toys, and collect and remove trash that you bring with you. Who Polluted the Potomac? to the District of Columbia than a greater proportion of contammatmg matter farther up the drainaO'e area. On November 13, 2007, the Potomac Conservancy, an environmental group, issued the river a grade of "D-plus", citing high levels of pollution and the reports of "intersex" fish. Way out in the western part of the state, we see a small body of water [Point to river up near Hagerstown on the map] that winds its way down, separating Maryland from Virginia. All your questions about the past, present, and future of swimming in the Potomac River and our local waters will be answered once as you freestyle your way through our big swimming quiz! Human population growth impacts water sources because . PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. The barren land left in the wake of bulldozers is ill-equipped to absorb rainwater, creating excessive runoff that pollutes our drinking water sources, spoils fishing grounds, and destroys wildlife habitat. Yuck. Point source pollution has an identifiable source, usually effluent or gas emissions from a pipe or smokestack at a facility. POLLUTION OF POTOMAC RIVER. Point source pollution has an identifiable source, usually effluent or gas emissions from a pipe or smokestack at a facility. Potomac Conservancy works one-on-one with small family farms to provide landowners with the expertise and resources they need to install BMPs and keep pollution out of upstream waters. Potomac Conservancy’s Potomac River Report Card presents and assesses data on five significant river health indicators: pollution, fish, habitat, land, and people. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Environmental Integrity Project and Appalachian Mountains Advocate sent a joint letter of intent to sue to D&L Coal Company, Inc. on Thursday, claiming that the coal facility has been allowing stormwater runoff contaminated with […] Potomac Conservancy is the only independent nonprofit that focuses exclusively on the Potomac River. impor~nce. As it rains, the water overflows the waste from neighboring powerplants and dumps the waste into the water The toxins and chemicals used to form the structure of the buildings around Alexandria are forced down the hills and into the Potomac River when it rains Every year in May, INVEST in clean water and the environment as public health priorities, PROTECT healthy forests and the river’s cleanest tributaries, PLANT streamside trees to capture and filter polluted runoff, DEFEND AND STRENGTHEN laws that protect our waterways at the local, state, and federal levels, PLAN river-friendly communities that safeguard streams, forests, and drinking water sources, pollution-free streams and drinking water sources, Use your voice to help pass strong water protection laws in your community, Become a clean water champion and lead fun (and safe!) Clean water solution: Farmers can keep their cattle healthy and our waters safe by fencing off streams and using water troughs to keep their animals hydrated. We can’t afford to lose momentum in the fight for clean water. Photo by Josh Kurtz Clean water advocates are planning to sue a … Having a healthy lawn fit for summer picnics and protecting clean water aren't mutually exclusive. Significant rains cause the pipes to back up, and a mixture of sewage and storm water that normally goes to a treatment plant backs up and discharges directly to a waterway or river. to the District of Columbia than a greater proportion of contammatmg matter farther up the drainaO'e area. But, as it turns out, eels are an unlikely weapon in the fight against pollution, and scientists are working to return them to a stretch of river they’ve been blocked from for a century. Dear Neighbor: Why I fight for the Potomac River. Data sets for some indicators takes time to become publicly available, so we have aggregated and assessed data through 2018. Stripping trees and natural protections along waterways is illegal in most jurisdictions, but Loudoun County’s elected leaders deem it acceptable. Clean water solution: Trees are nature’s best Brita filters. Stand up for clean water and urge your local leaders to protect tree buffers along our streams! Introduction: As human populations have increased and land uses have changed, many of our rivers have become polluted. how to help end pollution in the potomac river. Despite this progress, pollution remains a major issue. We didn't give the Potomac River an improved health grade for nothing. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network’s Parker patrol boat has been repowered with a new 225-hp outboard courtesy of Yamaha Rightwaters. 3 . We’ll keep you updated on local river news, wildlife, and fun outdoor events. Join our growing movement for clean water at potomac.org, For press inquiries, contact Willis Kliefoth at kliefoth@potomac.org, Melissa Diemand: co-Project Manager & Publication Editor Photo of Trash at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens from the Chesapeake Bay program,. Dog waste, chemicals, lawn fertilizer and other But knowledge is power! Paper Co. mill in Luke, Md., was powered by a coal plant in West Virginia coal company pollution... Trash and litter ’ s behind this troubling trend and what ’ s elected leaders it! Contammatmg matter farther up the drainaO ' e area Trump National Golf course was allowed to clear cut miles. Hormones, e-coli, and more pollution in the Potomac, but the threats are... And public health now, DC little FALLS PUMP STA the coal in. Impact ; Environmental History Matters ; Interviews, but your lawn, big or,! Station-Specific text DRAINAGE AREA. -- 11,560 mi 2 water quality in the River! 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Expose fossil-bearing strata cur-rent and future pollution 2016 Potomac watershed cleanup Day, volunteers across the region removed 334,000... Wonder where all that salt on the Potomac ’ t afford to lose momentum in the Potomac River conserve protect.
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