Releases from JRL dam are part of the normal regulation of the reservoir. Releases from the dam are made for a variety of reasons: to support flood risk management, water supply, recreation and environmental stewardship missions of the project. 

The siren will be triggered when increased releases need to be made from the dam, which will lead to flows or flow increases that are unsafe for recreation. 

The Jennings Randolph project staff will conduct maintenance on the warning system on a monthly basis. This will include a cleaning inspection and systems check to ensure that the system is working properly. The siren will also be tested during this monthly maintenance. The sounding of the siren test is a low pitch - visitors shouldn’t hear the testing sound unless they are within 100 feet of the warning system. If visitors do hear the siren test, they should still vacate the river immediately when the siren test is activated, as if a release has occurred.

The public should immediately vacate the river upon hearing the siren. 

Each sounding of the siren will include a three-minute duration during which a wailing sound will be made. The siren will wail at a high frequency for six seconds and then at a low frequency for six seconds, repeating that cycle continuously for the full three-minute duration. 

Not evacuating the river when the siren is sounded will put public users at risk for unsafe conditions in the river that include high water flow and high water velocities.

Under typical circumstances, when the siren is sounded, public users should evacuate the river and its channel immediately to higher ground along the river banks. 

The Army Corps of Engineers will continue to reach out to its local community and neighbors near the project site to discuss the system and hand out informational brochures. Brochures will also be provided on the Barnum Recreation Area bulletin board for patrons to get more informed. The Army Corps encourages public users and residents to monitor Jennings Randolph website, in the event there is an update to the system. Red warning signs are also placed around recreation and downstream areas.

The Corps recommends that users still monitor the North Branch Potomac River and Savage River Forecast website or call 410-962-7687 for a recorded message to obtain release information, updated at least once a day.