When “extreme” becomes the new normal: How flood and drought cycles are changing the Potomac River region

Summer is just around the corner, bringing with it longer days for picnics, shady streamside hikes, sunset paddles… and, if you’re a river advocate like us, getting to know some friendly faces at cleanups. But the change of seasons also highlights how erratic precipitation patterns in our region have become: Hotter, drier days are taxing an already overburdened water supply, while intense downpours accelerate erosion that puts everything from the quality of our drinking water to the safety of our infrastructure at risk.

The new normal of “predictably unpredictable” summer weather is more than just an inconvenience for your weekend plans. As extreme conditions become more frequent, it’s harder for Potomac River communities to recover—especially while contending with compounding crises like those we’ve already faced this year. 

To anticipate what’s ahead for our region this summer, let’s take a quick step back in time.