Upper Potomac River Advisory Update

The Maryland Natural Resources Police has announced, based on information received from the National Weather Service and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, that boating and other recreational uses of the Upper Potomac River, including creeks and streams, should be avoided at this time.

Due to recent precipitation, river levels are hazardous for recreational use on the main stem of the Upper Potomac River from Cumberland to Little Falls.

Hazardous stages are defined as those levels which because of hypothermia, wave action and high velocity or treacherous currents, create life threatening conditions for non-whitewater vessels, tubers, swimmers and wading fisherman. These conditions not only exist on the Upper Potomac River, but also on adjacent creeks and streams.

This advisory extends through Tuesday, March 11 and will be updated at that time if necessary.

This warning does not apply to professionally guided river trips or teams of experienced whitewater paddlers. There are always risks involved with river travel at any level and even low levels do not guarantee that any particular rapid or section of river may not be dangerous.


For the latest and most up to date information on Potomac River conditions between Cumberland and Little Falls, call the National Weather Service at 1-703-260-0305.

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The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 280 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more atwww.dnr.maryland.gov