As the school year nears its end and we start looking forward to warmer weather and time spent on the water, happy people are flocking to the Youghiogheny River watershed. We can help you make an informed decision about where you can safely splash or swim. We will be testing popular swimming, wading and paddling spots around the watershed for E. coli weekly between May 1 and September 30. Data will be available by Thursday of each week. E. coli, and in particular one strain called O157:H7, is an emerging cause of foodborne and waterborne illness. Beaches and other designated swimming locations are tested regularly, but areas not designated for swimming (swimming holes, locations along the river) are often not. Most streams the region will have some measurable level of E. coli, however, by limiting your contact recreation (swimming, wading, paddling) to areas with lower levels you can greatly reduce your risk of water-borne illness.
First Samples of the Summer Available!
We sample from the mouth of the Yough at McKeesport upstream to Confluence and at several locations on tributaries. Typically, E. coli levels increase as you move downstream on the river toward Pittsburgh. We rate sites as high (red), medium (yellow), and low (green) so it’s very easy to determine where it’s safe to swim. Remember– green means go!The McKeesport sample indicates that E. coli levels are higher than recommended for contact recreation. Samples at Boston and at Butterfly Rock near Layton indicated medium levels, so be cautious in these areas. We are happy to report sample sites from Turtle Rock in Connellsville all the way upstream to Confluence had E. coli levels low enough for us to give them the ‘green light’ for swimming. Most of the smaller swim holes we tested also have the green light this week (Blue Hole on Morgan Run, Blue Hole on Blue Hole Creek, Pinkerton Hole on the Casselman River).
Where to Find the Data
Our Swimmable Waters data are available on our Swimmable Waters webpage in a handy chart listing all of the sites and their corresponding rating. You can also visit the Waterkeeper Alliance Swim Guide (theswimguide.org) to view the sites and ratings on a map. Finally, you can download the Swim Guide app for either iOS or Android to see these locations and ratings on your smartphone.
Sign Up For Text Alerts
We can keep you in the loop this summer. Text “YoughSwimmableWaters” (no spaces) to 84483 to subscribe to text updates when new data has been posted. Click the link in the text, and it will take you to the Swim Guide (data and messaging rates may apply). You can also sign up for alerts online by clicking here.
Promotional Materials
Do you swim or paddle in the Yough? We need your high-resolution photos! We’re looking for content to update our Swimmable Waters postcard series. Send submissions to Devon Chalfant. We’ll let you know if we decide to feature your image! Thanks!
Safety
Please remember that swimming in rivers has inherent dangers which can be minimized but not eliminated through the use of caution and good sense. We assume no responsibility for illness, injury or death resulting from any information contained herein. Swim at your own risk.
See you on the river!