We test popular swimming holes in the Youghiogheny watershed from May - September. Find our results here every Friday!
Testing Local Swim Spots
Water quality is like the weather: it changes all the time. That's why it is important to check water quality every time you plan to swim.
State Parks and localities test public beaches. Our testing covers unofficial sites on rivers and creeks.
Bacteria (especially E. coli bacteria) is the main indicator of water quality problems. When bacteria levels are high, your risk illness is higher. When bacteria levels are low, people and wildlife are safer.
We collect water samples weekly from May - September and test them to swimming standards. Each site gets a "pass" or "fail" rating until the next samples are collected.
Our testing shows a snapshot of water conditions, but water quality is always changing! (Heavy rainfall causes runoff that increases bacteria in a waterway.) Here's a good rule of thumb: if the water is 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.
Current Conditions
= passed | 
= failed | 
= no data
Pass = 234.9 MPN or LESS | Fail = 235 MPN or MORE
*MPNrefers to the Most Probable Number of bacteria in a sample, which is a statistical method used to estimate the number of viable microorganisms, especially bacteria, in a liquid sample.
Status as of September 24th, 2025
Location
- Indian Creek in Mill Run, PA Passed 116.9 MPN
- Indian Creek at Nebo Rd
Failed 290.9 MPN - Cucumber Run Falls No Data *due to fallen trees
- Meadow Run Natural Waterslides Passed 56.3 MPN
- Ohiopyle, PA Passed 29.2 MPN
- Loop Take-Out Passed 16.0 MPN
- Ramcat Beach, PA Passed 68.3 MPN
- Casselman River in Fort Hill Failed 770.1 MPN
- Markleton School Rd Boat Launch Failed 325.5 MPN
- Kings Covered Bridge Failed 461.1 MPN
- Blue Hole in Forbes State Forest No Data *See why Here
- Cedar Creek Park Failed 290.9 MPN
- Sewickley Canoe Launch Failed 344.8 MPN
- Perryopolis Boat Launch
Passed 35.5 MPN - Smithton Beach, PA Passed 54.6 MPN
- Yough River Park Failed 1413.6 MPN
- Blue Canoe RV Resort
No Data
Check out our Site Map HERE!
LEARN MORE about Swimmable Waters on our BLOG!
For more information, or to help take water samples, please contact Chantelle@mtwatershed.com
What is E. coli?
Escherichia coli (commonly abbreviated E. coli) is a rod-shaped bacterium found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms including humans and animals.
People can be infected with E. coli after swimming in water tainted with fecal matter. E. coli causes moderate to severe illness. Symptoms of E. coli diarrheal infection most often begin 3 to 4 days after contact with the bacteria. Symptoms may include:
- Loose stools, which may range from mild to serious and from watery to bloody.
- Stomach cramping, pain or tenderness.
- Upset stomach and vomiting.
Swimming 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.