Rivanna River at Darden Towe Park

Charlottesville, Virginia

There is a boat ramp for kayaks and canoes, although swimming is not permitted in this portion of the park. However, there are plenty of trails on the edge of the park to discover hidden swimming spots perfect for cooling off. Don't forget to check out the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center! Weekly samples are collected and processed by the Rivanna Conservation Alliance (https://www.rivannariver.org/).

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COVID-19

Keep your distance from other people.

Practicing social distancing is still essential. Only go to the beach if you are able to keep 6 feet or 2 meters away from others. Follow the instructions provided by your local health authorities. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter our efforts to curb the virus’s spread.

Water Quality

Failed to meet water quality standards
Current Status
This status is based on the latest sample, taken on June 24th, 2022. James River Association updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on June 24th, 2022 at 4:33 PM.

For water quality icon legend, click:

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Monitoring Frequency

Source Information

James River Association manages the James River Watch program - a water quality monitoring initiative covering locations throughout the James watershed. Partners from across Virginia support and contribute valuable data to the program, including Rivanna Conservation Alliance, American Water, Virginia State University, Peninsula Master Naturalists, Twin River Outfitters, Riverside Outfitters, Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District and Appomattox River Company.

Water samples are collected and processed for fecal coliform bacteria, turbidity, air/water temperature, conductivity and salinity (at brackish water sites). Once bacteria results are available (approximately 24-hours after sample collection), results are immediately posted on the James River Watch website (www.jamesriverwatch.org) and on the Swim Guide to inform the public of river conditions.

Samples are collected every Thursday from May (Memorial Day) to September (Labor Day). A station is posted red if it exceeds safe swimming condition threholds for fecal coliform bacteria. The Virginia swimming standards are: >or= 235 cfu/100 mL (Freshwater stations); >or= 104 cfu/100mL (Brackish stations).

High bacteria levels and/or elevated river heights can trigger an unsafe notification at www.jamesriverwatch.org.

Water Quality Graph