I went to my favorite swimming hole this week, hoping to find the sandbar that I always sun on after a dip to cool off, and it wasn’t there. Rivers are constantly changing, always different, and not always safe. There are many factors in play that impact how and when rivers might be safe for your summer adventures. Luckily, there are plenty of ways and resources that can give us clues about whether a river is safe to swim.
Flow
Flow level, or the volume of water moving through a river at a given time, is a factor that comes up a lot when safety while swimming, boating, or really any type of activity along a river or stream is discussed. If the flow is too high, there could be dangerous currents, and difficulty seeing what is under the water. If the flow is too low, swimming is not as fun, and it may be impossible to put a boat in. With so much research being done about rivers at the state and national level, there are some tools to use to find out whether the flow is right for activity before hopping in the car.
The National Weather Service has a great tool that shows how high rivers are, and in some cases, forecasts levels for the rest of the day. View the graphs here.
When using this tool, try to find a location that is upstream of where you are going to swim or paddle. Use the indications of flood stage as a reference for how swift and high the river is.
Water Quality
An important part of swimming and paddling safely is thinking about what’s upstream. Road salts, agricultural and road runoff, and other town-related debris and pollutants all eventually end up in rivers. Water quality is different day-by-day and week-by-week, due to rain, human activity, and water temperature. That’s why a number of organizations throughout the state test water quality in rivers and lakes throughout the summer.
Water Quality Resources
As you can see with the amount of links here, there isn’t water quality data published for every river, stream, lake, and pond throughout the state. And even for the ones that there is data, the frequency of the data may not allow for the most up-to-date information for swimmers.
You may have some more questions about water quality and swimming. Learn more about the impacts of water quality on recreation with the FAQ section below.
Water Quality FAQs
- E. coli: This organism is an indicator of additional bacteria if present above certain levels. E. Coli is introduced to water through animal and human waste, stormwater runoff, sewage overflow, and septic systems.
- Cyanobacteria: A recognizable type of bacteria, with its blue-green color, this toxin occurs in lakes when there are warm temperatures and an influx of nutrients such as nitrogen or phosphorous. Breathing in cyanobacteria can be a respiratory irritant, and injecting it can cause stomach pain and cause liver damage.
Swimmer’s itch (cercarial dermatitis) is a rash that occurs after swimming in water and is caused by a parasite that prefers wild animals, not humans. The parasite is found in the blood of birds and some mammals. The host animal spreads the eggs of the parasite through its feces, and the larvae then enter the water on the hunt for snails to infect and multiply. In the snail, the larvae produce a different type of larvae, which then seek birds or mammals to round out their life cycle. Despite its preference for other animals, the parasite embeds into the skin of swimmers and causes an itchy rash.
Humans are not suitable hosts for this parasite, so they die within days. However, within a few days of swimming, an itching or burning sensation can occur, and then develop into pimples, and potentially blisters. To avoid further infection, it is important to stay out of water while the rash is active and try not to scratch. Swimmer’s itch doesn’t usually require medical attention and can be treated at home. Cortisone, cold compresses, Epsom Salt baths, baking soda pastes, and anti-itch lotion are all remedies.
To prevent this rash, it is recommended to towel off or shower as soon as possible after exiting the water. Some swimming spots may post signs about the presence of the parasite, if there is such signage, avoid swimming. Since the parasite is spread by snails, avoid marshy or wetland areas where snails are often found.
- Don’t swim for at least 48 hours after a heavy rain. Wait until the river is clear and calm.
- Don’t swallow water.
- Cover open wounds or cuts while swimming.
- Don’t swim below a pipe outflow point.
- Avoid cloudy or turbulent water.
- Use hand sanitizer or wash your hands before eating after a swim.
- Pick a place with a privy or bathroom to swim with small children, and change diapers often.
- Pack out all trash.
- Participate in water quality testing with local organizations.
- Don’t feed wildlife.
- Keep waste out of storm drains.
When you head out for your next adventure, do your research to make sure that you have a safe and fun day on the water.