This page provides daily information about the operations and scheduling of activities at the Potomac River Test Range and the Explosive Experimental Area (Pumpkin Neck). These facilities are used by our military to conduct munitions testing and should be avoided while testing is in progress. Click on any of the areas of interest to the right for additional information.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) will conduct range testing Monday through Friday, Oct. 21-25, that may produce very loud noise in communities surrounding Naval Support Facility Dahlgren. The testing hours will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the Potomac River Middle Danger Zone – as described in 33 CFR 334.230 – will be restricted during testing.

NSWC Dahlgren Testing May Produce Very Loud Noise Oct. 30 – Nov. 1 
Access to the Potomac River Middle Danger Zone To Be Restricted During Testing

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) will conduct range testing Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, that may produce very loud noise in communities surrounding Naval Support Facility Dahlgren. The testing hours will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the Potomac River Middle Danger Zone – as described in 33 CFR 334.230 – will be restricted during testing.

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Range / Weapons Testing Hotline: 877-845-5656 (toll-free) for daily updates on range operation and test schedules.

Noise Questions & Comments: 866-359-5540 (toll-free) to comment or ask a question about noise or vibrations you think are being caused by operations at Dahlgren.

For more information on NSWC Dahlgren’s range schedule, contact the NSWCDD Public Affairs Office, (540) 653-8152.Range Schedule for Oct. 25 and for the week of Oct. 28 – Nov. 1

Monday, Oct. 28

Testing at: EEA

  • Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • *Noise on Station: Loud
  • *Noise Down Range: Loud
  • *River Restrictions: None
  • *Roads Closed on Station: None
  • *Barricades Closed on Station: Churchill Range
  • *EMCON Conditions: Condition 2 in Buildings 995/948/1122/455, Condition 1 in Buildings 1180/1186, Condition 4 in Buildings 102/161/943
  • MR Shelter Condition: None
  • Other Notifications: None

Tuesday, Oct. 29

Testing at: Main Range/Buildings 1180-1186/EEA/PRTR River Operations

  • Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Noise on Station: Potential to create “Loud” noise in the northern “C” gate and southern (Building 101) areas of NSF Dahlgren.
  • Noise Down Range: Potential to create “Loud” noise downrange and in communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren.
  • River Restrictions: Restricted approximately 15,000 yards down range from NSF Dahlgren below the yellow “M” buoy (Maryland) and to the yellow “L” buoy (Virginia).
  • Roads Closed on Station: Tisdale Road/Shocktube Road/Blue Stone Road/Holden Road/River Bank Road/Fuze Road
  • Barricades Closed on Station: Area 3 Barricade/Shocktube Road Barricade/Hide Away Pond Barricade/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone Road Barricade/Churchill Range/Building 997 Gate 1/Building 997 Gate 2/Building 370 Gate/PRTR Main Gate/Olup Gate/Leatherneck Gate/Devil Dog Alley Gate/North Main Range Gate 1/North Main Range Gate 2/Fuze Road Barricade/ Building 1373 Barricade/ Building 235 Barricade/ Building 1160 Barricade
  • EMCON Conditions: Condition 2 in Buildings 995/948/1122/455, Condition 1 in Buildings 1180/1186, Condition 4 in Buildings 102/161/943
  • MR Shelter Condition: Local
  • Other Notifications: None

Wednesday, Oct. 31

Testing at: EEA/Railgun Building 1410/Scan Eagle-UAS

  • Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Noise on Station: Potential to create “Very Loud” noise in the northern “C” gate and southern (Building 101) areas of NSF Dahlgren.
  • Noise Down Range: Potential to create “Loud” noise down range and in communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren.
  • River Restrictions: Restricted approximately 10,000 yards down range from NSF Dahlgren below the yellow “O” buoy (Maryland) and to the yellow “N” buoy (Virginia).
  • Roads Closed on Station: Tisdale Road/Frontage Road/Quail Lane/Gambo Road/Beaver Road/Fuze Road/River Bank Road
  • Barricades Closed on Station: Churchill Range/Lower Gambo Creek Gate/Upper Gambo Creek Gate/Middle Gate/1470 Gate/Frontage Gate/5 Corners Barricade/Fuze Road Barricade/River Bank Gate/North Main Range Gate 1/North Main Range Gate 2
  • EMCON Conditions: Condition 2 in Buildings 995/948/1122/455, Condition 1 in Buildings 1180/1186, Condition 4 in Buildings 102/161/943, Spectrum Dependant System
  • MR Shelter Condition: Local
  • Other Notifications: None
potomac-river-explosive-test-range-map

Thursday, Oct. 31

Testing at: Main Range/EEA/Railgun Building 1410

  • Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Noise on Station: Potential to create “Very Loud” noise in the northern “C” gate and southern (Building 101) areas of NSF Dahlgren.
  • Noise Down Range: Potential to create “Loud” noise down range and in communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren.
  • River Restrictions: Restricted approximately 10,000 yards down range from NSF Dahlgren below the yellow “O” buoy (Maryland) and to the yellow “N” buoy (Virginia).
  • Roads Closed on Station: Tisdale Road/Frontage Road/Quail Lane/Gambo Road/Beaver Road/Holden Road/River Bank Road/Fuze Road
  • Barricades Closed on Station: Lower Gambo Creek Gate/Upper Gambo Creek Gate/Middle Gate/1470 Gate/Frontage Gate/5 Corners Barricade/Churchill Range/Building 997 Gate 1/Building 997 Gate 2/Building 370 Gate/PRTR Main Gate/Olup Gate/Leatherneck Gate/Devil Dog Alley Gate/North Main Range Gate 1/North Main Range Gate 2/Fuze Road Barricade/ Building 1373 Barricade/ Building 235 Barricade/ Building 1160 Barricade
  • EMCON Conditions: Condition 2 in Buildings 995/948/1122/455, Condition 1 in Buildings 1180/1186, Condition 4 in Buildings 102/161/943
  • MR Shelter Condition: Local
  • Other Notifications: None

Friday, Nov. 1

Testing at: EEA/Railgun Building 1410

  • Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Noise on Station: Potential to create “Very Loud” noise in the northern “C” gate and southern (Building 101) areas of NSF Dahlgren.
  • Noise Down Range: Potential to create “Loud” noise downrange and in communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren.
  • River Restrictions: Restricted approximately 10,000 yards downrange from NSF Dahlgren below the yellow “O” buoy (Maryland) and to the yellow “N” buoy (Virginia).
  • Roads Closed on Station: Tisdale Road/Frontage Road/Quail Lane/Gambo Road/Beaver Road
  • Barricades Closed on Station: Churchill Range/Lower Gambo Creek Gate/Upper Gambo Creek Gate/Middle Gate/1470 Gate/Frontage Gate/5 Corners Barricade
  • EMCON Conditions: Condition 2 in Buildings 995/948/1122/455, Condition 1 in Buildings 1180/1186, Condition 4 in Buildings 102/161/943
  • MR Shelter Condition: None
  • Other Notifications: None

David M. Higgins II is an award-winning journalist passionate about uncovering the truth and telling compelling stories. Born in Baltimore and raised in Southern Maryland, he has lived in several East...