Swimming in the Potomac

[Anonymous]

WEAR A LIFE VEST. Signed, someone who has spent many years on the Potomac.

[Anonymous]

We were always told the Potomac has dangerous undercurrents close to D.C.

Respect the Potomac. People drown every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
It's not like it's an automatic death sentence. Sheesh.

It is far more dangerous to drive a car than to swim in the Potomac.

This is true if you actually know how to swim.

[Anonymous]

Near Harper's Ferry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It's not like it's an automatic death sentence. Sheesh.

It is far more dangerous to drive a car than to swim in the Potomac.

This is true if you actually know how to swim.

No, it’s not. Idiots. I guess being stupid about river safety also makes you bad at math.

[Anonymous]

Just swim in the Patapsco or Mononongahela River instead.

[Anonymous]

Go to Williamsport, MD. It's about an hour drive from DC.

First check out the C&O Canal:
https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/williamsportvisitorcenter.htm

Then follow the path (cars and trucks are on it) that goes parallel and under the route 11 bridge to WV. You can swim on the MD side. It's legal in that part of the Potomac. Plenty of people around too as there's a boat launch there.

Here's a photo of the boat launch ramp and a report on water quality:
https://www.theswimguide.org/beach/10265

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My teens like to swim at Scott's Run, although not strictly legal.

I hope they’re just wading and messing around by the waterfall and not going out into the river proper!

Yes, they are just wading around. They don't go out into the river proper. But it's a nice place to hang out and cool off after a hike.

DP. I grew up here and used to go swimming in the river around Scott’s Run as a teen. Now I’m grossed out by the idea! But we had a great time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It's not like it's an automatic death sentence. Sheesh.

It is far more dangerous to drive a car than to swim in the Potomac.

This is true if you actually know how to swim.

No, it’s not. Idiots. I guess being stupid about river safety also makes you bad at math.

What makes you think that swimming in the Potomac is dangerous?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My teens like to swim at Scott's Run, although not strictly legal.

I hope they’re just wading and messing around by the waterfall and not going out into the river proper!

Yes, they are just wading around. They don't go out into the river proper. But it's a nice place to hang out and cool off after a hike.

My kid just did a cleanup there. It was, well, interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The river near DC is notoriously treacherous. There are drownings every year from people who underestimate it. I wouldn’t swim anywhere in the river without a life jacket.

Average of 7!people a year drown in Potomac - flows much faster underwater than appears on the surface …

[Anonymous]

I know someone who caught some type of infection after swimming in the Potomac, it was new so they couldn't narrow it down as to which one. They lost a leg. Stay out of the Potomac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It's not like it's an automatic death sentence. Sheesh.

It is far more dangerous to drive a car than to swim in the Potomac.

This is true if you actually know how to swim.

No, it’s not. Idiots. I guess being stupid about river safety also makes you bad at math.

What makes you think that swimming in the Potomac is dangerous?

Because hundreds of people have drowned in it over the past few years. I knew a girl in school that drowned in the Potomac when I was a kid.

[Anonymous]

My friend got a pretty bad infection from swimming in the Potomac bear DC. Affected her for years.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I can't believe a thread about swimming has devolved into this level of nitpicky bickering. Here's the deal:

The Potomac kills people every single year. There are many parts that are inherently dangerous.

The Potomac sickens people every single year. There are many parts that are inherently unhealthy.

There are parts of the Potomac that are perfectly safe and relatively healthy to swim in.

Dangerous currents are not always readily visible. If you're not experienced at reading currents from boating or paddling, you are taking risks even if you're swimming somewhere that looks safe. If you're going to swim, reduce risks by wearing a PFD.

If you're an adult and understand the risks, by all means swim if you want. If you've got kids, for the love of god just go to a pool.