Is it Safe to Swim in the Ohio River?
Your Guide for Ohio River Contact Recreation, Bacteria Levels, and River Current

ORSANCO is asked frequently if it is safe to swim in the Ohio River, and the answer to that question is invariably answered, “Yes and no.” Most if not every activity that humans engage in carries with it some level of health risk, and recreating in or on the Ohio River is no different. Obvious risks include river currents, floating or submerged debris, commercial and recreational traffic, as well as water quality conditions.

WHY BACTERIA ARE IMPORTANT

Fecal coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are indicators of the presence of human sewage and other warm-blooded animal feces in the water. Such feces can contain pathogens that can be harmful to human health. When elevated bacteria are present, it can represent an increased risk of contracting waterborne illness as a result of exposure to pathogens while recreating in the water.

Pathogens are grouped into three categories: bacteria, protozoans, and viruses. Bacteria of concern include E. coli, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio cholerae, and Yersinia enterolitica. Bacteria have been known to cause illnesses in humans including Gastroenteritis, Typhoid fever, Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, cholera and Yersinosis. Protozoans of concern include Balantidium coli, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. Viruses of concern include Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Hepatitis A, Reovirus, Rotavirus, Calicivirus and Astrovirus. Effects of these pathogens can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, ulceration of the small intestine, dehydration, dysentery, abscesses of the liver and small intestine, nausea, indigestion and Jaundice.

FIND BACTERIA DATA

ORSANCO conducts monitoring for Fecal coliform and E. coli every week from May through October at several locations in Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Huntington, Cincinnati, Louisville and Evansville.

Click here for the most current bacteria data. Results are generally not available for 72 hours after sample collection, due to the time required for analysis, quality assurance and data processing.

Click below for maps showing sample locations in your community:

- Cincinnati
- Evansville
- Huntington
- Louisville
- Pittsburgh
- Wheeling

GUIDANCE FOR INTERPRETING BACTERIA DATA

Here is guidance for using the criteria for the Ohio River for the protection of human health from contact recreation, with further explanation below:

The E. coli criteria, which were developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, are consistent with a risk level of 8 illnesses per 1000 people.

Bacteria conditions in the Ohio River can change rapidly, particularly as a result of rain which flushes bacteria into the Ohio River from such sources as overland runoff and combined sewers. Bacteria levels can rise rapidly as a result of rain, and in the larger urban areas, generally drop back to normal levels within 48-72 hours. Bacteria conditions in the Ohio River during extended dry periods are generally below the criteria, (with the exception of certain known areas), while bacteria conditions after rain may likely exceed the criteria.

QUICK GUIDE TO USING BACTERIA DATA AND CRITERIA:

If the most recent sample for Fecal coliform is less than 400 and E. coli is less than 240, and it has not rained since the most recent sample was collected, Ohio River water quality conditions are probably more favorable for swimming.

If it has rained in the last 48-72 hours, or bacteria levels in the most recent sample were above the criteria, Ohio River water quality is probably less favorable for swimming.

Bacteria levels are generally lower upstream of urban areas than downstream of urban areas; however it should be recognized that everywhere on the Ohio River is downstream of sources of bacteria. ORSANCO recognizes that bacteria data can be confusing and difficult to interpret, so please do not hesitate to contact us at 513-231-7719 should you have any questions.

FIND RIVER FLOW AND VELOCITY INFORMATION

Click here for river velocity and flow information.

The United States Fish & Wildlife Service document, “Methods of Assessing Instream Flows for Recreation, June, 1978” indicates that the maximum safe velocity for swimming is 2 feet per second (or 1.4 MPH), and the maximum safe velocity for canoeing/kayaking is 9 feet per second (6 MPH).

OHIO RIVER BASIN MAP

Click below to view the entire Ohio River Basin (The file size execeeds 20 MB, due to the graphic detail of the map, and maybe slow in opening )

- River Basin Map (PDF)

For more Information contact: Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO)
5735 Kellogg Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45228-1112
513-231-7719