2020 POTOMAC RIVER
REPORT CARD
#potomacreportcard
SHARE THE REPORT
Why the river matters
what's good for the
potomac is good for us.
Our community’s health depends on a thriving and clean Potomac River.
We all rely on the river for the water we drink, the food that’s grown on its lands, the well-being and peace provided by its natural spaces, and the joys of exploring our region’s plants, animals, and other wild wonders.
Drinking Water Drinking water source for five million local residents
Trails & Scenery Treasured playground for families, hikers, paddlers, and nature lovers
Diverse wilderness Home to over 1,400 native plants and animals, and 200 globally rare species
Connects Communities Flows 380+ miles through forests, farms, cities, and onto the Chesapeake Bay
OVERALL GRADE
the potomac's on the mend, but not in the clear
Our hometown river is in the middle of a comeback and is cleaner than in decades past, but it remains too polluted for safe swimming or fishing.
Thanks to decades of hard work following the Clean Water Act of 1972, many indicators of the Potomac’s health are trending in the right direction. Industrial and agricultural pollution are down, native fish and other animals are returning, and more families than ever are turning to the outdoors for fun and relaxation.
SIGNS OF TROUBLE
LOOM ON THE HORIZON
Is the river's
health improving?
the potomac river’s
recovery is plateauing
For the first time in a decade, the Potomac
River’s health grade has declined – slipping
from a B to a B-.
It’s a far cry from when we graded the river an abysmal D just ten years ago, but stalled progress could signal a dangerous reversal in course for the river’s health if threats aren’t addressed.
Why did the grade go down?
when it rains, it pours… pollution into the river.
There’s a storm fast approaching that could wreck all of our progress if we don’t act.
Rapid deforestation and sprawl are stripping the land’s ability to absorb rainwater as streets, parking lots, and rooftops replace natural ground cover. And our climate crisis is only making rains and storms more intense and harder to manage.
Our region’s record-setting rainfall in 2018 sent pollution levels soaring with disastrous short-term consequences for the Potomac’s health.
If left unchecked, polluted stormwater runoff in urban and suburban areas will continually increase and undo decades of progress to return clean streams to our communities.
Deluges eroded stream banks and increased sediment pollution
Lower tidal water clarity harmed underwater habitat
Juvenile fish rates for smallmouth bass plummeted
Overwhelmed stormwater systems sent diluted sewage into streams
Urban runoff polluted waterways with excess nutrients, fertilizers, and debris
How do we get the
river back on track?
we need to work with
nature, not against her!
We can’t afford to lose momentum in the fight for clean water.
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.
In this critical moment, we must prevent threats from destroying progress by passing stronger water protection laws and investing in natural defenses that will make our communities better prepared for our changing climate.
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
HOW CAN I HELP?
take action and join 31,000 neighbors who are united in the fight for clean water!
pollution-free streams and
drinking water sources
healthy and thriving
wildlife habitat
protected riverside forests
safe and welcoming
natural spaces
defend clean water laws
Use your voice to help pass strong water protection laws in your community
become a volunteer leader
Become a clean water champion and lead fun (and safe!) neighborhood cleanups
support potomac conservancy
Join our growing movement and help us protect and defend your water
#potomacreportcard
Fighting for clean water through conservation and advocacy
Potomac Conservancy is the region's leading clean water advocate, fighting to ensure the Potomac River boasts clean drinking water, healthy lands, and vibrant communities.
Founded in 1993, we drive the region's clean water movement by providing the tools that empower local landowners, activists, volunteers, partners, donors, and all river champions to lead the charge for clean water and healthy communities. 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. Potomac Conservancy is the only independent nonprofit that focuses exclusively on the Potomac River.
Join our growing movement for clean water at potomac.org
CREDITS
Melissa Diemand: co-Project Manager & Publication Editor
Caitlin Wall: co-Project Manager
Willis Kliefoth: Social Media Director
Corey Tiani, pointpixl llc.: Design and Layout
Chris Lowden: Web Development
Scott Kaiser: Research and Writing
We give a special thanks to Dick and Nancy Raines, The Oak Hill Fund, and our members for their generous charitable support that made this report possible.
We thank Richard Batiuk for offering his expertise, outside review, and assessment of our findings.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
The Center for Conservation Biology, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Chesapeake Progress, DC Department of Energy and Environment, US Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program, Hood College, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, James River Association, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service, Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics consortium, National Park Service - National Capital Region, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Chesapeake Bay, Outdoor Industry Association, Potomac Environmental Research & Education Center, Potomac River Fisheries Commission, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies, US Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service, US Geological Survey, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, and West Virginia Parks.
ABOUT THE REPORT
Potomac Conservancy’s Potomac River Report Card presents and assesses data on five significant river health indicators: pollution, fish, habitat, land, and people. Data sets for some indicators takes time to become publicly available, so we have aggregated and assessed data through 2018. Using an established baseline and set of benchmarks, the Conservancy measures restoration progress and assigns the Potomac River a grade. The overall grade has been weighted to account for non-quantifiable, inaccessible, or outdated data on water quality threats. These threats include, but are not limited to, harmful algal blooms, warming waters, endocrine disrupting compounds, PCBs, aquatic diseases, and others.
©2020 Potomac Conservancy. All rights reserved.
Printed
Press