Recreation on the Ohio River
The Ohio is one of the region’s most remarkable natural resources, and there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy it. ORSANCO monitors water quality for the safety of people who live in the Ohio River watershed during the spring, summer, and fall when people engage in recreational activities such as fishing, boating, skiing, and swimming. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe on the water this season.
>View weekly water quality report
Is it Safe to Swim?
The honest answer: yes and no.
Like any outdoor activity, recreating in or on the Ohio River involves some risk. Physical hazards include river currents, floating or submerged debris, and commercial and recreational vessel traffic. These are present regardless of water quality conditions.
Beyond physical safety, there may also be human health risks related to water quality — particularly bacteria and harmful algae. ORSANCO monitors both throughout the year so you can make informed decisions before you get in the water. Read more.
ORSANCO Water Quality Monitoring Programs & Recreational Safety
Contact Recreation Bacteria
Bacteria are present in the Ohio River year-round, but certain strains can cause gastrointestinal illness if ingested. ORSANCO tests for E. coli every week during the contact recreation season at six urban areas.
Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB)
Algae are always present in the river. Under the right conditions, certain algae can bloom rapidly and produce cyanotoxins that are harmful if ingested. Blooms are most common in summer but can occur at any time of year.
Bacteria monitoring · Details
Where and how we monitor
During the contact recreation season (April–October), ORSANCO samples bacteria at six urban areas across 16 sites along the Ohio River — cities chosen because of their combined sewer systems and higher recreational use.
Pittsburgh, PA | Wheeling, WV| Huntington, WV | Cincinnati, OH | Louisville, KY | Evansville, IN
Samples are collected at upstream and downstream locations within each urban area. Depending on site, collection is done by bank surface sample, midstream boat sample, or raw water intake grab sample.
ORSANCO Water Quality Programs:
Are you interested in ORSANCO’s other water quality monitoring programs? Click here to learn more about all of ORSANCO’s water quality monitoring programs.