Potomac River Report Card and Grade Released by Potomac Conservancy

The Potomac River Basin stretches more than 400 miles across 4 states and the District of Columbia. In fact, it provides 80% of the drinking water for the 6 million people who call this region home.

It’s a vital resource which is why the Potomac Conservancy publishes a River Report Card every two years. This data-driven assessment uses key indicators to determine the river’s overall health, raises community awareness, and needed action. Which is exactly what happened when they published the first Report Card nearly 20 years ago, and the river scored a

D+. This alarming grade signaled an urgent need for collective action, much of which is led by the Potomac Conservancy and its community, governmental, and organizational partners.

In October, the Conservancy released its 2025 report card and grade: a solid B. A sign of the great progress since the first Report Card was released in 2007. But the story doesn’t end there.

The B grade highlights areas where continued collaboration is essential: there’s still uneven improvements across state lines, declining fish populations, and the ongoing challenge of polluted runoff.

The moral of this story is: What gets measured gets done, and positive change can happen. Potomac Conservancy's efforts are helping to shape a future where everyone in our region may one day safely swim, fish, and build community along its shores. A future where the Potomac isn’t just a water source, but a thriving natural treasure at the heart of our nation’s capital, that connects and sustains us all.

Learn More: https://potomacreportcard.org/

Crimsonbridge partnered with the Potomac Conservancy to expand its 2025 River Report Card in the Greater Washington DC Region. This work is part of the Foundation’s Environmental Sustainability program, focusing on tangible improvements to the environment, inclusive and informed community engagement, and green workforce initiatives.