Potomac River - Thompson Boat Center

Washington, District of Columbia
Managed by Potomac Riverkeeper

Thompson Boat Center is taken right off the dock at the boat house, located near Georgetown Waterfront Park and off the C&O canal.

**WARNING: SWIMMING IS PROHIBITED IN D.C. RIVERS AND STREAMS, REGARDLESS OF THE CURRENT STATUS**

A “green” rating is demonstrative of the E. coli levels at one point in time.

The Potomac River is designated as a Class A waterway, which means primary contact, however the DC Department of Health (DOH) bans swimming in the Potomac due to sewage overflows. The risk of high bacteria levels after a heavy rain storm is the only reason it is considered “unsafe” to swim in the river. The activation of the Clean Rivers Project in DC is expected to reduce system wide combined sewage overflow by 96%, getting us significantly closer to a swimmable river 365 days a year.

When there is a red "special status" update, there has been a combined sewage overflow (CSO) in the past 48 hours. This means it is extremely likely there are unsafe levels of bacteria in the river, and it is recommended to be extra cautious if you are close to the river or come in contact with the water.

WATER QUALITY
  • Failed to meet water quality standards
  • Current Status
  • This status is based on the latest sample, taken on May 15th, 2019. Potomac Riverkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on at
For water quality icon legend, click:   
  • Report Pollution
MONITORING FREQUENCY

Potomac River - Thompson Boat Center is sampled weekly from May 1st to September 18th

SOURCE INFORMATION

Potomac Riverkeeper Network staff, interns, and volunteers monitor water quality at several locations along the Potomac River in partnership with Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, WaveOne Open Water, and other non-profit organizations. The monitoring effort is generously supported by the Virginia Environmental Endowment, National Harbor Marina, Peterson Companies, SP Marine Management, and Hunting Creek Garden Club.

Monitoring occurs every week from May through September. Parameters to be recorded include E.Coli, pH, temperature, and turbidity. Detailed monitoring results can be found through Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative's Data Explorer tool online.

https://cmc.vims.edu/#/home

The primary parameter of concern is E. coli, a fecal coliform. E. coli is measured in terms of the Most Probable Number /100 ml water, and are indicators of fecal contamination by warm-blooded animals including birds and mammals. Samples recording less than 126 MPN E. coli /100ml are therefore considered "green", having met water quality standards. Samples over the standard are considered "red" due to their failure to meet criteria, and the increased risk of illness.

WATER QUALITY GRAPH

Potomac River - Thompson Boat Center

Washington, District of Columbia
Managed by Potomac Riverkeeper
WATER QUALITY
  • Failed to meet water quality standards
  • Current Status
  • This status is based on the latest sample, taken on May 15th, 2019. Potomac Riverkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on at
For water quality icon legend, click:   

Thompson Boat Center is taken right off the dock at the boat house, located near Georgetown Waterfront Park and off the C&O canal.

**WARNING: SWIMMING IS PROHIBITED IN D.C. RIVERS AND STREAMS, REGARDLESS OF THE CURRENT STATUS**

A “green” rating is demonstrative of the E. coli levels at one point in time.

The Potomac River is designated as a Class A waterway, which means primary contact, however the DC Department of Health (DOH) bans swimming in the Potomac due to sewage overflows. The risk of high bacteria levels after a heavy rain storm is the only reason it is considered “unsafe” to swim in the river. The activation of the Clean Rivers Project in DC is expected to reduce system wide combined sewage overflow by 96%, getting us significantly closer to a swimmable river 365 days a year.

When there is a red "special status" update, there has been a combined sewage overflow (CSO) in the past 48 hours. This means it is extremely likely there are unsafe levels of bacteria in the river, and it is recommended to be extra cautious if you are close to the river or come in contact with the water.

  • Report Pollution
MONITORING FREQUENCY

Potomac River - Thompson Boat Center is sampled weekly from May 1st to September 18th

SOURCE INFORMATION

Potomac Riverkeeper Network staff, interns, and volunteers monitor water quality at several locations along the Potomac River in partnership with Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, WaveOne Open Water, and other non-profit organizations. The monitoring effort is generously supported by the Virginia Environmental Endowment, National Harbor Marina, Peterson Companies, SP Marine Management, and Hunting Creek Garden Club.

Monitoring occurs every week from May through September. Parameters to be recorded include E.Coli, pH, temperature, and turbidity. Detailed monitoring results can be found through Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative's Data Explorer tool online.

https://cmc.vims.edu/#/home

The primary parameter of concern is E. coli, a fecal coliform. E. coli is measured in terms of the Most Probable Number /100 ml water, and are indicators of fecal contamination by warm-blooded animals including birds and mammals. Samples recording less than 126 MPN E. coli /100ml are therefore considered "green", having met water quality standards. Samples over the standard are considered "red" due to their failure to meet criteria, and the increased risk of illness.

WATER QUALITY GRAPH



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