Spills · mystery_substance

On february 4, 2016, the uscg sector baltimore and virgina deq notified the noaa ssc about an extensive…

Potomac River; Washington Dc · Washington Dc · NOAAORR-9231

issued
2016-02-04 00:00Z
status
cancelled 2016-02-18 00:00Z
self-cancels
2016-02-18 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Atlantic Ocean
position
38.860, -77.040
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Potomac River; Washington DC.
Washington DC.
1. On February 4, 2016, the USCG Sector Baltimore and Virgina DEQ notified the NOAA SSC about an extensive sheen being observed in the Potomac River from the Ronald Reagan National Airport area downriver as far as the Wilson Bridge. Source is unknown but outfall in Roaches Run, Arlington, Virginia appears to be source of oil entering Potomac River.
2. THREAT: OIL. COMMODITY: DIESEL FUEL. TAGS: MYSTERY SUBSTANCE.
3. POSITION 38.860N 077.040W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 9231: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/9231

This area · spills & pollution incidents

452 within 180 nm since 1972 · 6 in the last 12 months · 0 in force now

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Nearby now · within 120 nm

Nothing else in force within 120 nm.

Worldwide now

8 spills & pollution incidents in force · see all

Spills

Oil and chemical spills, groundings and vessel casualties with a pollution threat: NOAA IncidentNews responses since 1957, and spill-response areas broadcast as navigational warnings. All current spills & pollution incidents →

Not for navigation. This is a re-rendering of an official navigational warning for awareness; mariners must use official NAVAREA broadcasts and their national MSI service.