03-22-2010, 10:10 PM
Annapolis, Maryland - The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has announced, based on information received from the National Weather Service and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), that boating and other recreational use of the Upper Potomac River, including its creeks and streams, should continue to be avoided.
This advisory has been extended through Friday, March 19 and will be updated at that time if necessary.
Due to recent precipitation, river levels are hazardous for recreational use on the entire main stem of the Upper Potomac River from Kitzmiller to Little Falls.
HAZARDOUS STAGES ARE DEFINED AS THOSE LEVELS WHICH BECAUSE OF HYPOTHERMIA, WAVE ACTION-HIGH VELOCITY OR TREACHEROUS CURRENTS-NON-WHITE WATER VESSELS, TUBERS, SWIMMERS, OR FISHERMEN WADING COULD BE CONFRONTED WITH LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS. THESE CONDITIONS NOT ONLY EXIST ON THE POTOMAC RIVER, BUT ALSO ON ADJACENT STREAMS.
THIS WARNING DOES NOT APPLY TO PROFESSIONALLY GUIDED RIVER TRIPS OR TEAMS OF EXPERIENCED WHITE WATER PADDLERS. THERE ARE ALWAYS RISKS INVOLVED WITH RIVER TRAVEL AT ANY LEVEL. THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT ANY PARTICULAR RAPID OR SECTION OF RIVER MAY NOT BE DANGEROUSE AT LOWER LEVELS
.
For more the latest information on Potomac River conditions between Cumberland and Little Falls, call the National Weather Service at 703-996-2200.
###
The Maryland Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 247 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 acresof 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 11 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 at www.dnr.maryland.gov
Media Contact
Sgt. A.A. Windemuth (410) 260-8003 (410)713-8449 cell or awindemuth@dnr.state.md.us
This advisory has been extended through Friday, March 19 and will be updated at that time if necessary.
Due to recent precipitation, river levels are hazardous for recreational use on the entire main stem of the Upper Potomac River from Kitzmiller to Little Falls.
HAZARDOUS STAGES ARE DEFINED AS THOSE LEVELS WHICH BECAUSE OF HYPOTHERMIA, WAVE ACTION-HIGH VELOCITY OR TREACHEROUS CURRENTS-NON-WHITE WATER VESSELS, TUBERS, SWIMMERS, OR FISHERMEN WADING COULD BE CONFRONTED WITH LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS. THESE CONDITIONS NOT ONLY EXIST ON THE POTOMAC RIVER, BUT ALSO ON ADJACENT STREAMS.
THIS WARNING DOES NOT APPLY TO PROFESSIONALLY GUIDED RIVER TRIPS OR TEAMS OF EXPERIENCED WHITE WATER PADDLERS. THERE ARE ALWAYS RISKS INVOLVED WITH RIVER TRAVEL AT ANY LEVEL. THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT ANY PARTICULAR RAPID OR SECTION OF RIVER MAY NOT BE DANGEROUSE AT LOWER LEVELS
.
For more the latest information on Potomac River conditions between Cumberland and Little Falls, call the National Weather Service at 703-996-2200.
###
The Maryland Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 247 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 acresof 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 11 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 at www.dnr.maryland.gov
Media Contact
Sgt. A.A. Windemuth (410) 260-8003 (410)713-8449 cell or awindemuth@dnr.state.md.us