Details on Pipeline Route Across MD/WV State Line?

The proposed pipeline appears to cross the Potomac near the mouth of the South Branch.  It's hard to determine from the tiny map shared by the gas company whether it crosses the South Branch or travels east of the river to Levels.  

The terrain map below shows that there are possible routes along the North Branch floodplain, French's Station Road, or along the South Branch meander that creates the French's Neck West / Blue Meadow's North floodplain. 

This seems like an opportunity for planners and our government leaders to negotiate a better bridge crossing at Oldtown/Green Spring, or possible road improvements wherever the pipeline travels.

Potomac Downriver Race Rescheduled - Saturday, May 24th

Potomac Downriver Race - Saturday, May 24th

The 59^th running of the CCA Potomac Downriver Race, which was postponed due to high water, will be held this Saturday, May 24th.  Registration opens at 9:00 AM, at Angler's.

The forecast for Little Falls on Saturday morning is 5.1 feet.  
The race start and registration will be at Angler's.
Obtain a registration form from http://www.canoecruisers.org/notices.html. Follow the instructions for mailing. The entrance fee is $25. Note also that $5 per paddler must be included in the fee for insurance unless the paddler is a member of the ACA (American Canoe Association) and your ACA number is provided. Tandem teams pay as two individuals.

Liability forms must be signed on race day.  All boats must have flotation.  All paddlers must wear helmets and PFDs (life jackets).

For additional information and registration form, click this link.http://www.canoecruisers.org/notices.html

Water Level Forecast:  http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lwx&gage=brkm2
Little Falls Gauge:  http://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/uv?site_no=01646500

Flooding at Great Falls

Meanwhile downstream (from the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang)...

Great Falls rages and roars in Potomac flood (PHOTOS and VIDEO)

• by Also On Capital Weather Gang, D.C. Area Forecast: Week Ahead Starts And Ends Swimmingly; Midweek Somewhat Unsettled 
•  May 19, 2014 
•  1 min read 
• original

The Potomac River is above flood stage at Great Falls, May 17, 2014.  Trails upstream from the falls were closed due to flooding.  (Kevin Ambrose)

The line of cars waiting to enter Great Falls Park grew longer as Saturday morning progressed.  Many people wanted to see spectacle of flood waters rushing and exploding over Great Falls after our recent heavy rain event.  At one point on Saturday, the National Park Service posted that the wait was one-to-two hours to enter Great Falls Park.

I arrived early, before the crowds, and the sound of the falls immediately greeted me as I stepped out of my car in the park’s parking lot.  When the Potomac River floods, Great Falls is loud.  The sound is impressive.

The flow rate of the Potomac River at nearby Little Falls peaked at slightly over 150,000 cubic feet per second on Saturday.  The median flow rate is 10,000 cubic feet per second.  I have included a flow rate chart and photo comparison to show the difference in flow rates from near normal levels on the river and Saturday’s flood stage.  The photo comparison also shows the contrast of seasons at Great Falls.

Potomac River flooding to the level we saw this past weekend is not too uncommon.  On October 31, 2012, the flooding from Sandy was comparable, perhaps slightly less.  Here’s a photo post to check out Sandy’s flooding of the Potomac.  Here’s another post showing a flood from February 4, 2013.

A contrast of seasons and water levels. The image on the top was taken January 4, 2014 and the image on the bottom was taken May 17, 2014. Both photos were taken from the same location. (Kevin Ambrose)

Flood Warnings Escalate

These warnings are created by models based on many decades of data, but minor changes in weather systems will be reflected in sometimes very dramatic changes in the foretasted water levels.

This was the prediction at 6:30am this morning:

Here is the current (most recent) prediction: