DAHLGREN, Va. – NSWC Dahlgren will conduct range tests on August 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Testing has the potential to produce VERY LOUD NOISE in the communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren. Access to the Potomac River Medium Hazard Zone (MDZ), as described in 33 CFR 334.230, will be restricted during testing.
Range/Weapon Testing Hotline: 877-845-5656 (toll-free) for daily updates on lineup operation and testing schedules.
Noise questions and comments: 866-359-5540 (toll-free) to comment or ask a question about noise or vibration you believe is caused by operations at Dahlgren.
Lineup schedule for the week of August 29 to September 2, 2022
Monday August 29
Tests at: Main Range/Buildings 1180-1186/EEA/PRTR River Operations/Railgun Building 1410/Shock Tube Road
*Operating hours: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
* Station Noise: Possibility to create “moderate” noise in the south area (building 101) of NSF Dahlgren.
* Noise reduction range: Ability to create a “moderate” noise reduction range and in communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren.
* River restrictions: N/A
* Roads closed on the station: Holden Road/River Bank Road/Fuze Road/Tisdale Road/Shocktube Road/Blue Stone Road/Frontage Road/Quail Lane/Gambo Road/Beaver Road
* Barricades closed on station: 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/Zone 3 Barricade/Shocktube Road Barricade/Hide Away Pond Barricade/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone Road Barricade/Churchill Range/Harris 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 Status: Local
* Other notices: N/A
Tuesday August 30
Trials at: Buildings 1180-1186/EEA/PRTR River Operations/Railgun Building 1410/Shock Tube Road/AA Fuze Range
*Operating hours: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
* Noise on the station: possibility of creating a “loud” noise in the east zone (main chain and terminal chain) of NSF Dahlgren.
* Noise reduction range: Ability to create a “strong” noise reduction range and in the communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren.
* River restrictions: restricted to approximately 10,000 meters from NSF Dahlgren below yellow buoy “O” (Maryland) and up to yellow buoy “N” (Virginia).
* Roads closed on the resort: Tisdale Road/Shocktube Road/Blue Stone Road/Frontage Road/Quail Lane/Gambo Road/Beaver Road/River Bank Road/Fuze Road
* Barricades closed on the resort: Churchill Range/Harris Range/Zone 3 Barricade/Shocktube Road Barricade/Hide Away Pond Barricade/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone Road Barricade/Lower Gambo Creek Gate/Upper Gambo Creek Gate/Middle Gate/1470 Gate / Front Gate/5 Corner Barricade/North Gate of Main Alignment 1/North Gate of Main Alignment 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
* Condition of the MR shelter:
* Other notices: N/A
Wednesday August 31
Trials at: Buildings 1180-1186/EEA/PRTR River Operations/Railgun Building 1410/Shock Tube Road/AA Fuze Range
*Operating hours: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
* Noise on Station: Potential to be created »Very strong“NSF Dahlgren East Area (Main Range and Terminal Range) noise.
* Noise reduction range: Ability to create a “very strong” noise reduction range and in the communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren.
*River restrictions: restricted to approximately 20,000 meters from NSF Dahlgren below yellow buoy “K” (Maryland) and up to yellow buoy “J” (Virginia).
* Roads closed on the resort: Tisdale Road/Shocktube Road/Blue Stone Road/Frontage Road/Quail Lane/Gambo Road/Beaver Road/River Bank Road/Fuze Road
* Closed station barricades: Churchill Range/Harris Range/Lower Gambo Creek Gate/Upper Gambo Creek Gate/Middle Gate/1470 Gate/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone Road Barricade/Frontage Gate/5 Corners Barricade/Area 3 Barricade/Shocktube Road Barricade/Hide Away Pond 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, Condition 4 in buildings 102/161/943
* Condition of the MR shelter:
* Other notices: N/A
Thursday, September 1
Trials at: Buildings 1180-1186/EEA/PRTR River Operations/Railgun Building 1410/Shock Tube Road
*Operating hours: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
* Noise on the station: N/A
* Noise reduction range: N/A
* River restrictions: N/A
* Roads closed on the resort: Tisdale Road/Shocktube Road/Blue Stone Road/Frontage Road/Quail Lane/Gambo Road/Beaver Road
* Barricades closed on the resort: Churchill Range/Harris Range/Zone 3 Barricade/Shocktube Road Barricade/Hide Away Pond Barricade/1410 Back Gate/Blue Stone Road Barricade/Lower Gambo Creek Gate/Upper Gambo Creek Gate/Middle Gate/1470 Gate / Front door/Barricade at 5 corners
* EMCON conditions: Condition 2 in buildings 995/948/1122/455, Condition 1 in buildings 1180/1186, Condition 4 in buildings 102/161/943
* Condition of the MR shelter:
* Other notices: N/A
Friday, September 2
No test today. Have a nice sea day
The map shows the Potomac River Medium Hazard Zone. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Site (NSWCDL), Dahlgren, Virginia provides this map, in the interest of safe boat traffic on the Potomac River. It does not apply to aircraft flying over the area.
The Potomac River Intermediate Danger Zone is part of the larger danger zone described in US Coastal Pilot 3, Atlantic Coast, Sandy Hook to Cape Henry. Entry into this area is dangerous for watercraft when firearms and other ammunition are fired or other tests are carried out by the NSWCDL as part of the development of weapons for national defense.
In order to ensure that no boat is endangered by such tests, the NSWCDL parks the control boats (international orange superstructure on a white hull) near the areas made dangerous by the test operations. Figure 2 shows a distance control boat. It is the responsibility of these boats to ensure that no boat is endangered by the trial operation. Normally, these boats are located near Lower Cedar Point (“R” buoy, near Bridge 301), near Swan Point, Maryland (“O” buoy), off Colonial Beach, Virginia. (buoy “N”), and at the mouth of Upper Machodoc Creek. These buoys are shown on the map of the medium danger zone.
Figure 2 – Range boat
When range control boats display a red flag, the craft shall not enter any part of the danger zone or operate anywhere near the danger zone without obtaining clearance from the range control boat the closest. A siren triggered on a craft from a distance control boat is a signal to come alongside for instructions on what to do and information on areas to avoid.
A red flag will be flown at the docks of NSWCDL Yardcraft during times when trial operations are being conducted in the Potomac River. All watercraft wishing to enter or exit Upper Machodoc Creek during trial operations will receive specific transit instructions. Normally, use of the back channel (along a line from the ‘P’ buoy to the main jetty at NSWCDL Yardcraft) will be permitted.
Firing times are arranged to cause minimal inconvenience to river traffic and generally the range is not closed for extended periods. Normally, testing operations are carried out between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily, except weekends and holidays. Rarely, the cooker is used during other hours and/or at night in order to take advantage of favorable light or atmospheric conditions or due to emergency situations.
While testing is in progress, entry into any part of the danger zone without specific authorization by the authority having jurisdiction is prohibited by regulations promulgated by the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, pursuant to the authority of Sections 1 and 3, title 33, US code. Dangerous areas are described in US Coastal Pilot 3, Atlantic Coast, Sandy Hook to Cape Henry. While these regulations are enforceable, the NSWCDL wishes to cooperate with and assist all watercraft operating in hazardous areas of the Potomac River.
Dahlgren Range Control monitors Ship-to-Shore Marine Channels 16 and 14 and Citizens Band Channel 5. Please direct questions and inquiries to the South Potomac Naval Support Activity Public Affairs Office, (540) 653 -8153 or the NSWC Dahlgren Public Affairs Office, (540) 653-8152.
