Discontinuation of Observations and Forecasts at Williamsport, Maryland

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
1133 AM EDT Thu Oct 26 2023

...RIVER OBSERVATIONS AND FORECASTS ARE PLANNED TO BE DISCONTINUED
FOR THE POTOMAC RIVER GAUGE AT DAM NUMBER FIVE ABOVE WILLIAMSPORT
MD EFFECTIVE 30 NOVEMBER 2023...

The Potomac River gauge at Dam Number Five above Williamsport, MD
has been offline since March 2023, due to an equipment
malfunction. Therefore, river level forecast services are no
longer sustainable without real-time streamflow data. The National
Weather Service (NWS) requires streamflow data to determine and
verify accurate river level forecasts at the gauge location.

River level forecasts will continue to be issued upstream at the
Potomac River at Hancock, MD and downstream on the Potomac River
at Shepherdstown, WV. Although specific river level forecasts will
cease at Dam Number Five, the NWS will continue to issue River
Flood Watches and Warnings as needed, based on upstream and
downstream observations and forecasts.

Discontinuation of river forecasts for the Potomac River at Dam
Number Five above Williamsport, MD is effective 30 November 2023.

Questions regarding the discontinuance of river observations and
forecasts at Dam Number Five on the Potomac River can be directed
to Susan Buchanan - NOAA Public Affairs: susan.buchanan@noaa.gov.

$$

JEREMY GEIGER
SENIOR SERVICE HYDROLOGIST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE
BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON