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.

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 the week of Dec. 9 – 13

Monday, Dec. 9

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

  • Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Noise on Station: Potential to create “Loud” noise in the southern (Building 101) area 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 downrange 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/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/North Main Range Gate 1/North Main Range Gate 2/Fuze Road Barricade
  • EMCON Conditions: Condition 2 in Buildings 995/948/1122/455, Condition 1 in Buildings 1180/1186
  • MR Shelter Condition:
  • Other Notifications: None

Tuesday, Dec. 10

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

  • Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Noise on Station: Potential to create “Moderate” noise in the southern (Building 101) area of NSF Dahlgren.
  • Noise Down Range: Potential to create “Moderate” 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/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/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
  • MR Shelter Condition:
  • Other Notifications: None
potomac-river-explosive-test-range-map

Wednesday, December 11

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 “Moderate” noise in the southern (Building 101) area of NSF Dahlgren.
  • Noise Down Range: Potential to create “Moderate” 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/Shocktube Road/Blue Stone Road/Holden Road/River Bank Road/Fuze Road
  • Barricades Closed on Station: Churchill Range/Harris Range/Area 3 Barricade/Shocktube Road Barricade/Hide Away Pond Barricade/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone Road Barricade/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
  • MR Shelter Condition:
  • Other Notifications: None

Thursday, Dec. 12

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

  • Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Noise on Station: Potential to create “Loud” noise in the southern (Building 101) area 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 downrange 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/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
  • MR Shelter Condition:
  • Other Notifications: None
potomac-river-explosive-test-range-map

Friday, Dec. 13

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

  • Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Noise on Station: Potential to create “Loud” noise in the southern (Building 101) area 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 downrange 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/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/North Main Range Gate 1/North Main Range Gate 2/Fuze Road Barricade
  • EMCON Conditions: Condition 2 in Buildings 995/948/1122/455, Condition 1 in Buildings 1180/1186
  • MR Shelter Condition:
  • 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...