What's up with swimming in the Potomac River??

It is NEVER safe to swim in the Potomac River.

True.

False, it's always safe.

False, it varies!

When was swimming in Washington DC's waterways (the Potomac River, Anacostia River, and Rock Creek) banned?

1971

1907

1917

2007

Which iconic location in our nation's capital had a very popular, but racially segregated, swimming beach in the early 20th century?

The reflecting pool

Fletcher's Cove

The tidal basin

National Harbor

What's the ONE main reason swimming is still illegal in Washington, DC?

Dangerous rapids

High bacteria levels

Potty, the "Loch Ness Monster" of the Potomac River

Algal blooms

WHY is there bad bacteria in DC Waters?

Old sewer systems

The climate crisis

Dog poop

All of the above

It's smart to wait how long after a rainstorm to swim in your local water?

A week

A month

2 hours

3 days

You can also check if your local swimming hole is safe by...

Looking at the water color

Counting the pieces of litter

Checking the SwimGuide App

Swimming in it

DC Water's "Clean Rivers Project" is on the way to making the Potomac much safer for swimming. The new Potomac Tunnel, to be completed by 2030, will reduce sewage overflow into the river by how much?

52%

87%

73%

96%

The Anacostia River is also on its way towards swimmability! In fact, plans have been explored to built what along it's shores?

Water slides

Scandinavian-style "river pools"

Diving boards

Hot tubs

It is not safe to swim in which of the following locations, due to dangerous rapids.

Great Falls/Mather Gorge

Cunningham Falls State Park

Blue Hole/Buzzard Rock

Seneca Creek in Poolesville, MD

Which of the following beaches is in the Potomac River region?

What's up with swimming in the Potomac River??

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