We sample popular swimming holes during the Swim Season. Through our Swimmable Waters program, volunteers take weekly water samples from May through September. Our weekly E. Coli sampling results will be posted every Friday below and also on theswimguide.org.
Swimmable Waters
We can help you make an informed decision about where you can safely splash or swim this summer! We are testing popular swimming, wading and paddling spots around the watershed for E. coli weekly between May 1 and September 30.
E. coli, 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 in the region will have some measurable level of E. coli, however, by limiting your recreation (swimming, wading, paddling) to areas with lower levels you can greatly reduce your risk of developing a water-borne illness. We rate sites as failed (red) or passed (green) so it’s very easy to determine where it’s safe to swim. Remember – green means go!
Keep in mind that our testing shows a snapshot of water conditions taken in the middle of the week. Water quality is constantly changing, so use your best judgement. Here's a good rule of thumb: if it's brown, turn around!
Want to stay updated?
Water quality conditions will be made available on Friday of each week. We can alert you when new water data become available! Click here to subscribe to email or text alerts or text YoughSwimmableWaters to 84483.
= passed | 
= failed | 
= no data
| Location | Status on September 25, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Smithton Beach, PA | 🟢 |
| Yough River Park | 🔴 |
| Indian Creek in Mill Run, PA | 🟢 |
| Cucumber Run Falls | 🔴 |
| Meadow Run Natural Waterslides | 🟢 |
| Ohiopyle, PA | 🟢 |
| Confluence, PA | 🟢 |
| Casselman River in Fort Hill | 🟢 |
| Humbert Covered Bridge | 🔴 |
| King's Covered Bridge | 🔴 |
| Blue Hole in Forbes State Forest | 🔴 |
| Cedar Creek Park | 🟢 |
| Indian Creek at Nebo Rd | 🟢 |
| Sewickley Canoe Launch | 🟢 |
| Perryopolis Boat Launch | 🟢 |
| Blue Canoe RV Resort | 🔴 |
What is E. coli?
Escherichia coli (commonly abbreviated E. coli) is a rod-shaped bacterium commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms including humans and animals. There are hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli, however, one particular strain, O157:H7, is an emerging cause of foodborne and waterborne illness. Beaches and other designated swimming locations are tested regularly, but swimmers in non-designated areas (swimming holes, locations along the river) swim at their own risk. Through our Swimmable Waters program, you can access our water quality data to make sure you’re swimming in locations with low levels of E. coli bacteria.
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.