Fire Weather Watch
2026-04-16T21:00:00-06:00

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 214, 216, 241, 245, 246, 247 and 249. * TIMING...From Thursday morning through Thursday evening. * WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 9 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.

Patuxent River

Last Updated: April 15, 2026

Total streamflow across the Patuxent River was last observed at 208 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 412 acre-ft of water today; about 31% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 680 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2014-05-01 when daily discharge volume was observed at 14,260 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Patuxent River Near Bowie reporting a streamflow rate of 156 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Patuxent River, with a gauge stage of 4.57 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Patuxent River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 383 ft, the Patuxent River Near Unity.

The Patuxent River is a 115-mile-long river that flows through central Maryland and empties into the Chesapeake Bay.


15-Day Long Term Forecast


River Details

Last Updated 2026-04-14
Discharge Volume 412 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 207.9 cfs
Past 24 Hours: -0.3 cfs (-0.14%)
Percent of Normal 30.57%
Maximum 14,260.0 cfs
2014-05-01
Seasonal Avg 680 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Patuxent River Near Unity
USGS 01591000
18 cfs 2.15 ft 0
Patuxent River Below Brighton Dam Near Brighton
USGS 01591610
36 cfs 1.58 ft -10.75
Patuxent River Near Bowie
USGS 01594440
156 cfs 4.57 ft 2.65
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Patuxent River is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay in the state of Maryland. There are three main river drainages for central Maryland: the Potomac River to the west passing through Washington, D.C., the Patapsco River to the northeast passing through Baltimore, and the Patuxent River between the two. The 908-square-mile (2,352 km2) Patuxent watershed had a rapidly growing population of 590,769 in 2000. It is the largest and longest river entirely within Maryland, and its watershed is the largest completely within the state.