Potomac Riverkeeper Network

06/21/2026

For all you anglers, here's a little tease about Shenandoah Riverkeeper Mark Frondorf's River Rodeo -- weekend of September 25-27. Tons of fun -- good fishing, good food and drink, with plenty of memories to store. Contact Mark directly: [email protected].
Photo credit William Heresniak

06/19/2026

Wonderful green wave of passing results for sites throughout the watershed this week! There were some rain events in the Upper Potomac region yesterday, so please exercise caution if the river looks turbid. The following sites passed, but had high levels of bacteria (above 235 MPN): Joseph’s Branch, Piney Branch, Broad Branch, Three Sisters and Chapel Point.

This year we are determining pass/fail on Swim Guide using only the Single Point Maximum of 410 MPN (Most Probable Number) for E. coli. In more brackish waters, like Colonial Beach, the f***l indicator bacteria, Enterococcus, is used, with a threshold of 130 MPN.

Explore the Potomac River Health Index here: https://prhealthindex.streamlit.app/

06/18/2026

Welcome to our Class of 2026 baby mussels!! On Tuesday, we welcomed upwards of a thousand of baby mussels to their new temporary home at the PRKN Science Barge in National Harbor. This science barge will be a hub for research, restoration and innovation and will accelerate our ability to reach our goal of 50 million mussels back into the river.

Evan Quinter, PRKN Staff Scientist, described the importance of the barge to the mussel project - he said “These mussels are the first lucky bivalves in a long line of future mussels to grow and thrive in the PRKN upwellers. Mussels not only grow months faster in rivers than hatcheries, but their water quality filtering abilities will begin to pull nutrients and pollutants out of the Potomac River.”

Read more about this eventful day: https://potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/potomac-riverkeeper-network-gives-a-major-boost-to-mussel-restoration-in-the-potomac/

06/18/2026

Want to keep the celebrations going all weekend long? Join us and Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail for a litter clean up at Gravelly Point in Arlington, Virginia to tackle trash left over from 4th of July celebrations! Nothing says pride like keeping our backyards and our rivers clean. 💧

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/help-clean-up-trash-at-gravelly-point-after-independence-day-registration-1989308071994

06/17/2026

Virginia’s data center boom is putting increasing pressure on our water resources.

New transmission lines are proposed to meet data center energy demand, crossing local streams and creeks at hundreds of locations. Development of sprawling data center industrial facilities generates enormous quantities of stormwater pollution. The data center industry is also one of the fastest growing users of water, sourced from direct river withdrawals or local public water supplies.

In a recent report, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) found that changing weather patterns and increasing water demands threaten water shortages for D.C. and Arlington, where the Potomac is the sole source of drinking water. Groundwater is already depleting in Loudoun County, among other parts of the watershed.

Let’s not allow our water resources to become an afterthought. Virginians deserve strong safeguards for their drinking water and waterways!

06/17/2026

06/16/2026

It isn’t all work, no play over here! Last week Upper Potomac Riverkeeper, Brent Walls enjoyed a two day paddling/camping trip on the river in Paw Paw with a few great supporters who won this trip at our fall gala!

The weather was perfect - no rain, bugs, or humidity and 20 miles of river was covered! Who knows what kind of great items we will offer at our auction this year. 👀

06/15/2026

Shenandoah Riverkeeper's Snorkeling Paddle is right around the corner -- and this isn’t your typical float trip! This river exploration begins with a paddle of a scenic stretch of river with plenty of stops to slip into the water, mask up, and explore what’s happening beneath the surface. The Shenandoah is full of surprises, and snorkeling reveals an entire hidden world of fish, aquatic life, and river-bottom habitats that most people never get to see!

Register today - this is an exploration you don't want to miss! https://give.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/event/explorations-with-your-riverkeeper-shenandoah-snorkeling-2026/e781841

06/12/2026

Lots of green across the DC and Lower Potomac regions with a bit more variation in Rock Creek. Sites that passed but still had higher bacteria levels above 235 MPN include Normanstone Run, Broad Branch, Old Angler's Inn, Little Hunting Creek, Chapel Point and Shirley Blvd. In the Upper Potomac, results are much more of a mixed bag thanks to a roller coaster of weather events!

This year we are determining pass/fail on Swim Guide using only the Single Point Maximum of 410 MPN (Most Probable Number) for E. coli. In more brackish waters, like Colonial Beach, the f***l indicator bacteria, Enterococcus, is used, with a threshold of 130 MPN.

Remember, typically if a site has more than 1 inch of rain, you should wait 48 hours before coming into contact with the river.

Explore the Potomac River Health Index here: https://prhealthindex.streamlit.app/

06/09/2026

Our water quality monitoring capabilities have expanded, thanks to a new dashboard created by Reservoir Center, the group which has in partnership with us, placed Xylem WQM sensor buoys throughout our watershed. The dashboard enable users to access real-time info about water quality.

Read more from our friends at Bay Journal: https://www.bayjournal.com/news/pollution/new-system-gleans-real-time-data-for-potomac-anacostia-shenandoah-rivers/article_c18ae1ad-0a7c-40cc-9b07-98685a179820.html

Photo Credit: Bay Journal 📸