Welcome to The Potomac River Test Range Website. 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.
NSWCDD Noise Advisory: NSWC Dahlgren will conduct range testing October 18-19 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Testing has the potential to produce VERY LOUD NOISE in communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren. Access to the Potomac River Middle Danger Zone (MDZ), as described in 33 CFR 334.230. will be restricted during testing.
Range / Weapons Testing Hotline: 877-845-5656 (toll-free) for daily updates on range operation and test schedules.
Noise Questions & Comments: Call NSF Dahlgren: 540-653-8153 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, at (540) 653-8154.

Tuesday, October 18
Testing at: Main Range/EEA/PRTR River Operations/Shock Tube Road
- Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Noise on Station: Potential to create “Very Loud” noise in the southern (Building 101) and eastern (Main Range and Terminal Range) areas of NSF Dahlgren.
- Noise Down Range: Potential to create “Very Loud” noise down range 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: Churchill Range/Harris Range/Lower Gambo Creek Gate/Upper Gambo Creek Gate/Middle Gate/1470 Gate/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone Road Barricade/Building 997 Gate 1/Building 997 Gate 2/Building 370 Gate/PRTR Main Gate/Star Gauge Road Gate/Olup Gate/Leatherneck Gate/Devil Dog Alley Gate/North Main Range Gate 2/North Main Range Gate 1/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: N/A
Wednesday, October 19
Testing at: EEA/PRTR River Operations/Shock Tube Road
- Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Noise on Station: Potential to create “Very Loud” noise in the southern (Building 101) area of NSF Dahlgren.
- Noise Down Range: Potential to create “Very Loud” noise down range and in communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren.
- River Restrictions: N/A
- Roads Closed on Station: Tisdale Road/Shocktube Road/Blue Stone Road
- Barricades Closed on Station: Lower Gambo Creek Gate/Upper Gambo Creek Gate/Middle Gate/1470 Gate/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone Road Barricade/Churchill Range/Harris 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:
- Other Notifications: N/A
Thursday, October 20
Testing at: Main Range/PRTR River Operations/Shock Tube Road
- Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Noise on Station: N/A
- Noise Down Range: N/A
- River Restrictions: N/A
- Roads Closed on Station: Tisdale Road/Shocktube Road/Blue Stone Road/Holden Road/River Bank Road/Fuze Road
- Barricades Closed on Station: Lower Gambo Creek Gate/Upper Gambo Creek Gate/Middle Gate/1470 Gate/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone Road Barricade/Building 997 Gate 1/Building 997 Gate 2/Building 370 Gate/PRTR Main Gate/Star Gauge Road Gate/Olup Gate/Leatherneck Gate/Devil Dog Alley Gate/North Main Range Gate 2/North Main Range Gate 1/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: N/A
Friday, October 21
Testing at: Shock Tube Road
- Operating Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Noise on Station: N/A
- Noise Down Range: N/A
- River Restrictions: N/A
- Roads Closed on Station: Tisdale Road/Shocktube Road/Blue Stone Road
- Barricades Closed on Station: Lower Gambo Creek Gate/Upper Gambo Creek Gate/Middle Gate/1470 Gate/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone 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: N/A