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 Jan. 6-10, 2020

Monday, Jan. 6
Testing at: PRTR River Operations/AA Fuze Range
*Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* Noise on Station: Potential to create “Loud” noise in the eastern (Main Range and Terminal Range) area 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: River Bank Road/Fuze Road
* Barricades Closed on Station: 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, Condition 4 in Buildings 102/161/943
* MR Shelter Condition:
* Other Notifications: None

potomac-river-explosive-test-range-map

Tuesday, Jan. 7
Testing at: Buildings 1180-1186/PRTR River Operations/AA Fuze Range/Directed Energy Building 213
*Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* Noise on Station: Potential to create “Loud” noise in the eastern (Main Range and Terminal Range) area 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: River Bank Road/Fuze Road/Tisdale Road/Shocktube Road/Blue Stone Road
* Barricades Closed on Station: North Main Range Gate 1/North Main Range Gate 2/Fuze Road Barricade/Area 3 Barricade/Shocktube Road Barricade/Hide Away Pond Barricade/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone Road Barricade/Local barricades around the perimeter of B213
* 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:
* Other Notifications: None

Wednesday, Jan. 8
Testing at: Buildings 1180-1186/PRTR River Operations/AA Fuze Range/Main Range/Directed Energy Building 213
*Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* Noise on Station: Potential to create “Loud” noise in the eastern (Main Range and Terminal Range) area of NSF Dahlgren.
* Noise Down Range: Potential to create “Loud” noise downrange and in communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren.
* River Restrictions: Restricted approximately 17,000 yards downrange from NSF Dahlgren below the yellow “K” buoy (Maryland) and to the yellow “J” buoy (Virginia).
* Roads Closed on Station: River Bank Road/Fuze Road/Tisdale Road/Shocktube Road/Blue Stone Road
* Barricades Closed on Station: North Main Range Gate 1/North Main Range Gate 2/Fuze Road Barricade/Area 3 Barricade/Shocktube Road Barricade/Hide Away Pond Barricade/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone Road Barricade/Local barricades around the perimeter of B213
* 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 shelter
* Other Notifications: None

Thursday, Jan. 9
Testing at: Buildings 1180-1186/PRTR River Operations/AA Fuze Range/Directed Energy Building 213
*Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* Noise on Station: Potential to create “Loud” noise in the eastern (Main Range and Terminal Range) area 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: River Bank Road/Fuze Road/Tisdale Road/Shocktube Road/Blue Stone Road
* Barricades Closed on Station: North Main Range Gate 1/North Main Range Gate 2/Fuze Road Barricade/Area 3 Barricade/Shocktube Road Barricade/Hide Away Pond Barricade/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone Road Barricade/Local barricades around the perimeter of B213
* 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:
* Other Notifications: None

potomac-river-explosive-test-range-map

Friday, Jan. 10
Testing at: PRTR River Operations/AA Fuze Range/Directed Energy Building 213
*Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* Noise on Station: Potential to create “Loud” noise in the eastern (Main Range and Terminal Range) area 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: River Bank Road/Fuze Road
* Barricades Closed on Station: North Main Range Gate 1/North Main Range Gate 2/Fuze Road Barricade/Local barricades around the perimeter of B213
* 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:
* 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...