Happy World Environment Day! 🌎💧 Climate action starts at home. In our region, that means protecting the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, vital sources of drinking water, recreation, wildlife habitat, and community connection. Photo Credit: Roy Sewall #WorldEnvironmentDay #CleanWaterForAll

With a few exceptions, this week's water quality dataset was looking great! The following sites passed, but had high levels of bacteria (above 235 MPN): Normanstone Run, Washington Channel, and Oronoco Bay. Explore the Potomac River Health Index here: https://prhealthindex.streamlit.app/

Listen to this sweet story! Every year the elementary class at Fernwood Montessori hosts a bazaar where they sell handmade goods and donate the funds to charity. This year they chose to donate to PRKN because of their concern for the impacts of river pollution on the community and wildlife!

PRKN is thrilled to partner with @reservoircenter on a new water quality monitoring tool that brings real-time data to the greater DC region! Explore the tool: water-quality.reservoircenter.org #waterquality #potomacriver #shenandoahriver #riverkeeper

We are happy to welcome Annaleigh to the PRKN team! 🎉 Growing up in the DC area, Annaleigh has fond memories of kayaking on the Potomac and ice skating on the C&O canal nearby. She also worked at the Key Bridge Boathouse on the Potomac in Georgetown, so joining the organization feels full circle!

Happy #Pride Month from PRKN! Let’s celebrate the beauty and diversity of our watershed, and the communities within it, today and always. 🌼

Congratulations to Lora Lumpe, the lucky winner of the Trash Free Shenandoah kayak raffle! Volunteers from 18 different Trash Free Shenandoah partner groups were entered into the drawing for a beautiful Old Town 106 kayak, generously donated by Don Roberts and Front Royal Outdoors.

As expected, many sites surpasses water quality standards this week following some much needed rainfall! We're happy to introduce the Potomac River Health Index! Explore the platform here: https://prhealthindex.streamlit.app/ 💧 #waterquality #potomacriver #riverkeeper #publichealth #riverrecreation

Even after all we know about PFAS and its dangers, EPA has rolled back limits on the chemicals in drinking water. What next? Be certain: we will keep up the fight. Read some reporting on it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/climate/epa-forever-chemicals-pfas-drinking-water.html PC Ecowatch

For week two of water quality monitoring we have another very green map - with the exception of Normanstone Run in Rock Creek. There were several other sites that passed, but whose results had high levels of bacteria. They include: Battery Kemble Creek, Boundary Bridge, and P St. Beach.

Through the end of May, your gift for the river will make TWICE the impact! Our partners at Rock Creek Conservancy are matching up to $5,000 toward our Give Greater DC campaign to support PRKN's WQM Program. 💧 To make a donation: https://www.givegreaterdc.org/o/prknetwork ♥️

PRKN is in search of someone to fulfill the role of Staff Attorney on our team! This new position will play a critical role on our team of environmental professionals. Find more information and how to apply here: https://potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/employment-opportunity-staff-attorney/

What a beautiful weekend spent at National Harbor for our first Splash and Dash event! This is what getting active for a cleaner river looks like! ♥️ Special thanks to our partners for making this event possible: @nationalharbor , @hydrapak , @reservoircenter , @patagoniawdc , @rei , and @wegmans 💧

In just a few weeks, join your Shenandoah Riverkeeper and two of the region’s best birding guides for the always captivating Shenandoah Birdwatching Paddle on June 5th! Space is limited and this trip tends to fill up fast, so grab your spot early and join us for a memorable day on the 'Doah! 🦦

We're happy to share that we've nearly swept the board with sites meeting safety standards, with the exception of Normanstone Run and Thompson's Boat Center in the Lower Potomac and Security Road in the Upper Potomac. #waterquality #potomacriver #riverkeeper #publichealth #riverrecreation

We’ve been keeping a little secret.. something big is coming to National Harbor! 💧 We are so excited to share that we have been working on the PRKN Science Barge — a science hub that will nurture both partnerships and mussels in its numerous upwellers!

Join us for our first ever Splash and Dash 5K for the river THIS SATURDAY! We're so excited to host in partnership with: National Harbor, HydraPak, Reservoir Center, Patagonia, REI, and Wegman's! Get registered today: https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/OxonHill/PotomacRiverkeeperNetworkSplashAndDash

Months later after the sewage spill, the demand for WQM data and expanded testing has become more prevalent than ever before – and public trust in our river cannot be restored without it. Your support is the reason programs like this exist. ♥️ Donate: https://www.givegreaterdc.org/o/prknetwork

Change begins small, within each one of us! Together, we can reinvest into our community and give back through community programs like our water quality monitoring! Donate here: https://www.givegreaterdc.org/o/prknetwork Photo Credit: Cherry Wyman 📸

Our Community Science Water Quality Monitoring is one of our most underfunded programs, despite increasing concerns over D.C.’s aging sewage infrastructure. Join us today and help us reach our goal of $5,000! Make a contribution here: https://www.givegreaterdc.org/o/prknetwork

Our Community Science Water Quality Monitoring program is volunteer-led and operated and is a testament to the dedication and fervor of our community. Donate here: www.givegreaterdc.org/o/prknetwork ♥️ Photo Credit: Cherry Wyman 📸 #givegreaterdc #waterquality #potomacriver #riverkeeper #waterislife

Thanks to the advocacy of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network and our partners, HB 1072 has officially been signed into law, affirming the right of localities to test biosolids applied in their communities for PFAS contamination. Photo Credit: PEER 📸

#GiveGreaterDC is in 2 DAYS! Donate today to ensure we can continue providing this essential program to Potomac communities and groups like Calleva River School: www.givegreaterdc.org/o/prknetwork Photo Credit: Lane Kirkjian 📸 #waterquality #riverkeeper #potomacriver #dmv

Support our necessary work and focus at the state level -- we can't rely on the federal govt. Donate here: give.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/campaign/688644/donate ♥️

Our regular water quality monitoring season begins next week and is expanded to include ALL sampling sites we began testing in response to the sewage spill. Even though you will no longer see this specific graphic, be assured that we are continuing monitoring the same sites.

PRKN’s Trash-Free Boat Brigade (TFBB) is a boat-based team of kayakers and canoers that cleans legacy trash from the depths of the Potomac, the backs of tributaries, and other hard to reach shorelines To inquire or learn more, please email [email protected] 📧

Springtime in the Valley -- a spectacular time of year! Did you visit Winchester on Friday? If you did, you saw Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, in the First Responders Parade to celebrate the Apple Blossom Festival. #RespecttheShenandoah #ShenandoahRiverkeeper #PotomacRiverkeeperNetwork

#TakeAction and tell congress to investigate the impacts of data centers now: act.americanrivers.org/page/96622/a.... Read more about data centers and the Most Endangered River designation here: potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/americas-mos... #potomacriver #datacenters #riverkeeper

What a day yesterday! MD legislation to set limits on PFAS in sewage sludge, require some source tracking , and strengthen authority to control industrial discharges of PFAS at the source was signed into law! PRKN led that fight -- well done, team. Thanks to Sen Sara Love, a bill co-sponsor.

Here are water quality results from this past Monday! All sites passed except for Thompson's Boat Launch -- which is likely being influenced by nearby CSO discharge pipes and possibly nearby Rock Creek. Remember, it is recommended to wait 48 hours after rainfall before river activities. 💧

Did you know? The average runner uses 2 - 3 disposable cups at each aid station during a race – that’s a boatload of cups! In the pursuit of minimizing our dependency on single-use disposables, we have partnered with HydraPak for a more sustainable race day!

None of this would have been possible without the elbow grease from our amazing volunteers and uplifting community! ♥️ Photo Credit: Alan Lehman 📸

Join your Shenandoah Riverkeeper for his infamous Shenandoah Birdwatching Paddle -- a one-of-a-kind river experience perfect for nature lovers! 🦆 Register here: https://give.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/event/explorations-with-your-riverkeeper-shenandoah-bird-watching-paddle-2026/e781822

For Give Greater DC, we are asking you to help us continue providing this essential service – because our community deserves it. Early giving is open now, donate here: www.givegreaterdc.org/o/prknetwork Photo Credit: Toni Robinson 📸 #GiveGreaterDC #waterqualitymonitoring #riverkeeper #potomacriver

Check out our latest water quality sample data - all within the safe recreation limit of 410 MPN/mL. To find water quality results as soon as they're available, please refer to our sewage spill data and updates webpage here: https://potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/potomac-sewage-spill-data-updates/

Eric Sours from White House Farm had a challenge to bring this disused buoy in during one of the Trash Free Shenandoah cleanups for Earth Day this week. Other stalwarts participated in over 50 different cleanups! Well done! #Respecttheshenandoah #TrashfreeShenandoah

Join Potomac Riverkeeper Network and @gonatureforward for a stimulating discussion on the Potomac River’s ranking as American River’s Most Endangered River of 2026, and what earned the River this ignominious distinction. We hope you’ll join us! Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Today is Earth Day -- honor it by joining us for our Oxon Cove cleanup! Here's everything you need to know: https://ow.ly/llu950YNUun

#BREAKINGNEWS today - the Department of Justice, on behalf of the EPA, has filed a lawsuit against DC Water over Clean Water Act violations. In a separate lawsuit, MDE is seeking penalties and damages for costs associated with the sewage spill which occurred in Montgomery County, MD. #sewagespill

Our latest water quality sample data continue to reflect bacteria levels within acceptable limits, with the exception of Thomson Boat Launch. To find water quality results as soon as they're available, please refer to our sewage spill data and updates webpage at the link in our bio! 🔗

Have you been following the Potomac's Most Endangered River designation by American Rivers? Check out this reporting by our friends at Channel 4: https://ow.ly/Eqch50YLweQ

Read on for some thoughts on DATA CENTER impacts from real people living in the Shenandoah Valley. ⛰️ Learn more about the Potomac’s Most Endangered River designation and how to TAKE ACTION here: potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/americas-mos... #shenandoahriver #datacenters

Two major biosolids bills, HB 1443 and SB 386, have officially been signed into law in Virginia. This is a major step toward transparency, accountability, and protecting our water, soil, and people. We’re proud to have led this effort – and we’re just getting started!

Join Potomac Riverkeeper Network and Nature Forward on April 29th from 12 – 1:30 PM for a stimulating discussion on the Potomac River’s ranking as American River’s #1 Most Endangered River of 2026, and what earned the River this ignominious distinction. Register here: https://ow.ly/niBr50YKnR5

📢JUST RELEASED: The Potomac River tops American Rivers list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2026. ⚠️ #TakeAction to support the future of the Potomac River at the link in our bio! Tell congress to invest in water infrastructure and investigate the impacts of data centers now!

We made progress on PFAS in both MD and VA -- sewage sludge is starting to be regulated and counties empowered to act. But more work needs to be done to arrest this continuing threat. Read more here: https://ow.ly/Q4nk50YIqQy #stoppfas #cleanwater #potomacriverkeeper #potomac

We’re still in need of more volunteers, so join us to clean up our rivers and community: www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-oxon-... #volunteer #pollution #maryland #riverkeeper #potomacriver

This is seriously one of the best ways to enjoy the Shenandoah Valley by intertwining two of the best pastimes for the region!! This is a trip you don’t wanna miss - register here: give.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/event/explor... 🦉

Cyclopure wrote an article on our PFAS work and how we incorporate their test kits! Read it here: https://cyclopure.com/dexsorb-assists-potomac-riverkeeper-network-to-monitor-pfas-affects-across-chesapeake-watershed/ #pfas #foreverchemical #riverkeeper #potomacriver #shenandoahriver

Here are water quality results for this week and just ahead of a pleasant weather forecast! 🌤️ Please note that we have updated the name of our Little Falls sampling site from "Little Falls Pumping Station, USGS Gage" to "Little Falls/Feeder Canal."