2015 Readers' Choice

/

The year's most popular river news stories as picked by you, our readers

The results are in! We've analyzed the traffic and double checked our math (we're river warriors, not mathematicians, after all) and here you have it. The most popular stories from the River News blog as chosen by you, our readers! 

Scroll through and get a blast from the past. If you're new, check out important river stories you missed this year.

   
 

Photo Essay: A Walk in the Winter Woods

Explore the winter forest! Take a walk in the winter woods with Tracy, our Land Protection Director, and learn about the season's unique and changing landscapes, animal behavior patterns, and plant life.

READ MORE >

 

Potomac Shad Population Surpasses Restoration Goals

There's nothing fishy about this news. It's looking good for shad in the Potomac! The Chesapeake Bay Program reports shad populations in the Potomac River exceed target restoration goals.

READ MORE >

 

Federal Court Upholds Chesapeake Bay Restoration Plan

Ridge Hall with the Chesapeake Legal Alliance tells us what what we need to know about this summer's historic court case. Find out what the ruling means for the Potomac and our local streams that feed the Bay. 

READ MORE >

 

Potomac Conservancy Saves White Horse Mountain

Thanks to the support of The Conservation Fund and the generosity of more than 250 individuals and organizations, this 1,700-acre forest will be protected forever and opened to the public soon. Learn why saving White Horse is a huge win for clean water.

READ MORE >

 

Exploring Our Sacred Ground

Beth Norcross from the Center for Spirituality in Nature explores our sacred ground and delivers an important message about our shared identity as Potomac Riverans.

READ MORE >

 

Why Donald Trump’s View on Trees Is Wrong

While leaders and businesses in the Washington, DC, metro area are embracing river friendly growth, Donald Trump unnecessarily destroyed one and a half miles of trees along the Potomac River. Here's why it matters.

READ MORE >

 

Invasive Snakeheads Found Above Great Falls

A Maryland Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service survey confirms the non-native snakehead species has spread into the C&O Canal and the Upper Potomac River.

READ MORE >

 

Latex Chemical Spill on the Potomac's North Branch

When a 10,000-gallon chemical spill polluted the Potomac, several municipalities opted to rely on emergency drinking water supplies. See a timeline of the spill and get the latest news.

READ MORE >

   

You May Also Like

Featured
Potomac Conservancy’s Indigenous allyship commitment
Potomac Conservancy’s Indigenous allyship commitment

All lands in the United States are the ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples. If we want to build an equitable and sustainable movement to protect the Potomac River, our local lands, and the climate, we must learn from Indigenous people and their legacy of environmental activism.

Why Saving Back Creek Matters—3 Locals Share Why This Hidden Gem Deserves Protection
Why Saving Back Creek Matters—3 Locals Share Why This Hidden Gem Deserves Protection

Protecting the land around the Potomac River is critical for its health. We talked with local residents to hear why they think safeguarding the Back Creek region is essential to their community and everyone in the Potomac River watershed. 

QUIZ: If you ace this, you’re ready for a Potomac River category on Jeopardy!
QUIZ: If you ace this, you’re ready for a Potomac River category on Jeopardy!

If you’ve ever been told you should be a Potomac River tour guide, this quiz was designed with you in mind. From natural wonders to the foundations of our nation’s history, our region is steeped in fascinating facts too good not to share. The more we learn about the Potomac, the more we want to protect it for all to enjoy!

As the climate crisis raises the Potomac River, Tidal Basin seawalls level up
As the climate crisis raises the Potomac River, Tidal Basin seawalls level up

Why do the Tidal Basin seawalls need an upgrade, and how long will it take? The passage of time and the growing intensity of the climate crisis mean the Tidal Basin needs better flood protection – much better.

Read on to learn about this costly infrastructure project and the power of harnessing nature-based solutions to adapt to climate change.

We’re standing united against irresponsible tree removal along the George Washington Memorial Parkway
We’re standing united against irresponsible tree removal along the George Washington Memorial Parkway

Trees are not a luxury, they're an essential natural defense against water pollution and the climate crisis. That's why Potomac Conservancy is standing with local environmental partners to stop further destruction of mature trees along one DC-area highway. Read our joint letter.

Team Potomac celebrated our 30th anniversary paddling on the Potomac
Team Potomac celebrated our 30th anniversary paddling on the Potomac

Potomac Conservancy turned 30 this year! To celebrate, we hosted a paddle celebration to bring together the Potomac River’s biggest fans!

Caring about the Potomac is our favorite thing to do, second is enjoying the river!

7 tree-centric hikes near the Potomac River to fall in love with this autumn
7 tree-centric hikes near the Potomac River to fall in love with this autumn

Is leaf peeping on your fall bucket list? We've gathered the best hikes to see the incredible leaves this season. Trees are critical to our clean water work, so it's important that we appreciate them throughout the year!

Congress’s inaction to pass an updated Farm Bill is harming the Potomac River
Congress’s inaction to pass an updated Farm Bill is harming the Potomac River

The Federal Farm Bill is essential to advancing conservation in our region because it provides critical funds and resources that unlock easement opportunities for farmers and everyday people. In fact, it’s the single largest source of private conservation funding. 

5 strange creatures you wouldn't expect in the Potomac River
5 strange creatures you wouldn't expect in the Potomac River

Let’s dive into the river and learn about some unusual animals and what makes them stand out among the rest. While there are some you may be familiar with, others you may have never heard of before.

Nature’s mast years: the mystery of the tree's bountiful seeds and acorns in the fall
Nature’s mast years: the mystery of the tree's bountiful seeds and acorns in the fall

Every few years, trees mass produce – a boost in production known as a ‘mast year’. But, exactly why – and how – trees synchronize their production every few years remains a mystery. So, what’s really going on?