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Tim Tilson will coordinate an Anglers to Lock 10 trip on the Potomac. Meet at Lock 10 at 10:00 am. We will offer a take out at Carderock. However to ensure proper accountability, please come to Lock 10 first. This is a 3.5-mile Class II+ trip with three rapids. The Little Falls gauge is projected to be 3.0. This is about as low as we like to run it although it can be run lower. The temperature is projected to be in the mid 60s, with a NE wind of 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 5-10%. No lunch stop but maybe a snack stop after Yellow Falls. Most likely the group will repair to Fish Tacos to dine. If interested contact Tim at hmslydia@msn.com or 703-273-9436 (land line no text). Cell phone of 703-864-0802 only after 900 am on Thursday.

As to water quality: The E coli level numbers are all over the place. River Keepers and UMD on 5 May measured an E-coli level of 34.5 MPH/100mL. However DC Water on 4 May recorded 1,550. The standard is above 410, you should not be on the water.

However, an expert local paddler and environmentalist John Snitzer writes:

"The Potomac River is not a pristine stream. It has varying levels of pollution depending on rainfall, agricultural runoff, and routine septic and sewage leaks in the watershed WELL BEFORE THE RECENT SEWAGE SPILL. By comparison, the Shenandoah E Coli # is routinely at 2,500-3,000 due to land application of animal manure in the Shenandoah Valley which then washes into the river. I would think that most of the pollution in the Potomac comes from the Shenandoah. Bottom line, it is orders of magnitude cleaner than it was in the 60s and 70s before the bennies of the Clean Water Act kicked in.

Do not drink it. Protect open cuts and sores. Wash thoroughly after getting off the river. If you develop a skin infection or an unknown ailment, tell your medical provider of contact with the Potomac River."