Is the Potomac River clean enough to swim in?

Nearly every year, there are drowning accidents in this stretch of the river. There are still extremely strong currents under the water that can pull the unaware swimmer down into the river’s depths. For safety reasons, swimming in the Potomac is illegal between Great Falls and the southern Maryland/DC line.

Is it safe to swim in the Potomac River 2020?

Despite its designation as a Class A Primary Contact waterway, the DC Department of Health (DOH) bans swimming in the Potomac River citing the risk of high bacteria levels after rainstorms as the only reason it is considered “unsafe” to swim.

How clean is the Potomac River?

The Potomac River is in the middle of comeback and is cleaner than in decades past, but it remains too polluted for safe swimming or fishing. Stalled progress could signal a dangerous reversal in course for the river’s health if bold measures are not taken to address threats.

Is the Potomac River dangerous?

Mather Gorge in Great Falls Park is one of the most dangerous sections on the Potomac. Remember, NO SWIMMING, NO WADING, keep your feet out of the river. Many people have died after entering the Potomac River Gorge, as-well-as slipping and falling in the river along the rocky shorelines in Great Falls Park.

Are there alligators in the Potomac River?

The Potomac River is the fourth largest river along the Atlantic coast and the 21st largest in the United States. Absolutely. So even if you were to dump a pair of male and female alligators into perfect habitat on the Potomac River, this will never lead to a sustained population of alligators.

Are there sharks in Potomac River?

TRICK: Yes, their are sharks in the Potomac River! As their name suggests, bull sharks are big and quite aggressive. Just last year, a fisherman caught a 310-pound, 8.6 foot long bull in the river. Bull sharks are unique in that, though they live mostly in saltwater, they can tolerate freshwater.

Why is the Potomac River so dirty?

For the first time in ten years, the Potomac River is more polluted than it was two years ago. Those threats include polluted stormwater from urban and suburban areas, which is the fasting growing cause. The problem has been exacerbated by deforestation and urban sprawl combined with higher-than-usual precipitation.

Will it ever be safe to swim in the Potomac?

“It’s definitely safe to swim in the Potomac on a perfect summer day ,” said Phillip Musegaas, vice-president of programs and litigation for the Potomac Riverkeeper Network. “If it hasn’t rained…

Is swimming illegal in the Potomac River?

It is illegal to wade and swim in the water of the Potomac River. Drowning deaths and rescues have been reported on waterways in and around the District. A man’s body was pulled from the Potomac River outside Fletcher’s Cove Boathouse in Georgetown earlier this June.

Is it safe to swim in the Potomac River?

It is *probably* relatively safe–but not entirely risk-free–to swim in the Potomac on low-bacteria days, in areas well away from waste zones, if you take precautions. It is recommended that you not swallow the water, enter the water if you have open wounds, or have poor health/immune function.

How deep is the Potomac River?

The Potomac River near Washington, D.C. averages between 10-20′ deep — except near shore or the 3 Sisters Islands. However, there is a deep channel near the Three Sisters which generally is about 80 feet (24 m) deep, but can drop to just 30 feet (9.1 m) or less during low tide or periods of little precipitation.