Swim Guide

See the Latest Swim Guide Results

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swim guide

Is it safe to swim here?

That’s one of the most common questions Riverkeepers get during the summer. To help answer that question, Catawba Riverkeeper operates a summer Swim Guide program to test popular swimming areas on local lakes.

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Why test for E. coli?

Recreational standards usually focus on indicator bacteria, which are used to detect the level of fecal contamination in the water. E.Coli is considered a better indicator of human sewage than other types of bacteria because they are found in intestines of warm blooded animals. E. coli is the type of bacteria that local health authorities look for in freshwater.

Primary contact with water containing high levels of fecal bacteria and other pollutants can lead to disease, infection, and rashes. Results are also be shared on the national Swim Guide map and will follow a stoplight system to help you easily understand results. Locations that come back with high amounts of E. coli will be marked red.

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How does it work?

Riverkeeper staff, interns, and volunteers collect samples on Thursday mornings, which are tested for E. coli in the Riverkeeper’s in-house lab. Results are posted on Fridays in a stoplight system or green, yellow, red, so that you can make informed decisions about swimming over the weekend.

Thank you 2024 Swim Guide sponsors!

The Riverkeeper’s sample data provides a general guide to the health of the waterway and should only be used for informational purposes. This data does not guarantee the sampled area is safe for swimming at all times. Overall, E. coli levels in the Catawba lakes are low & the reservoirs are typically safe for swimming. However, E. coli levels can change at any time & increase after rain events. As a general rule, if the water is clear, then E. coli levels are likely to be low.