The Potomac River

What happens when it floods?

People often ask what happens when the Potomac river floods. Very simply the club gets flooded.

Typically, it looks like this, and the cleanup is a muddy, muddy mess. However, many hands make for light work.

Obviously the club gets flooded often, in all seasons. One of the more impressive floods was the winter flood of 1936.

Here is a shot of the WCC, Dempseys and the Potomac Boat Club with about 10 feet of ice.

Checking the river gauges

To check and see if the Club is in danger of flooding, members can check the various gauges on the river. An easy way of doing this is to check the NOAA web site. Because the Club is on the tidal Potomac, it is difficult to determine what level at the Little Falls gauge is required to flood the club. The Club has flooded with as little as 10 feet, and has been dry with as much as 12 feet at the Little Falls gauge. Fortunately, NOAA maintains a tidal data website as well. Obviously, the combination of highwater and high tide is the most dangerous situation. In any case, members are advised to monitor the gauge and move their boat from the club, to avoid loss or damage. The 1996 floods saw approx. 19 feet at the Little Falls gauge, which brought the water to the top of the first floor. NBC has a video camera that sometimes gives a view of the river. You can get a rough idea of the weather, water state and height from this view.

Club policy is that Junior members and guests are not allowed on the river without an approved coach in the safety launch when the water temperature is below 50 degrees. Further, junior members and guests are not allowed on the water when the water temperature is below 40 degrees. The temperature can be found on the NOAA site above, as read on the Little Falls gauge. Alternatively, you can look at the water temperature chart. If the Little Falls Gauge is not functioning, use the gauge upstream for the best estimate.

Links

• Weather Forecast
• National Weather Service
• Water Temparature Chart
• Washington, D.C. Tide Predictions (Graphical version)

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