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D.C. region faces growing risk of water shortages as Potomac River hits near-record lows

Little Seneca Reservoir in MoCo's Black Hill Regional Park is closest backup for drinking water Your support keeps Bethesda Today reporting on the issues Montgomery County cares about. The D.C. region is heading into summer with rivers at...

Dan Murphy • •1 min read
D.C. region faces growing risk of water shortages as Potomac River hits near-record lows
Environment & Climate

D.C. region faces growing risk of water shortages as Potomac River hits near-record lows

Little Seneca Reservoir in MoCo's Black Hill Regional Park is closest backup for drinking water

By

Neal Augenstein - WTOP

April 20, 2026 5:05 p.m.

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    potomac river
    View of the Potomac River from Great Falls National Park in Virginia. Photo credit: Elia Griffin

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    The D.C. region is heading into summer with rivers at near-record low levels and a growing risk of water shortages, according to water supply experts and the latest drought data.

    The U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday, shows 31% of the region in severe drought, with the rest experiencing moderate drought. River flow at Little Falls is close to the lowest on record for this time of year.

    Michael Nardolilli, executive director of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, said the river is “at its lowest point that it’s ever been for this particular date,” based on more than 130 years of data.

    Read more on WTOP.com.

    This article was written by Bethesda Today’s partner WTOP News and republished with permission. Sign up for WTOP’s breaking news, traffic and weather alerts and emails today.

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    Originally published at Bethesdamagazine