Swimming Facts

Swimming in the Hudson

Information provided by
River Pool at Beacon
P.O. 173
Beacon NY 12508
www.riverpool.org

Swimming in Hudson was commonplace less than a century ago. Now most of the Hudson River is once again clean enough for swimming. New York’s former Governor George Pataki stated a goal of making the entire length of the Hudson River Estuary, from Troy to New York City, clean enough for swimming by 2009, the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage up the river. Upgrading sewage treatment plants, rigorous pollution enforcement, and some toxic site cleanups should help achieve that goal.

RISKS

Eating fish that live in the Hudson can present a health risk because PCBs bioaccumulate in fish as they move up the food chain. Fortunately PCBs present little risk to swimmers. Probably the most significant risk to river swimming are the river’s currents. The moon, sun, weather, and rainfall cause the Hudson’s currents to change directions 4 times every day. The times and strengths vary not only along the length of the river, but also across it’s width, and to an extent through it’s depth. Published current predictions are good estimates at best. Other risks to swimmers can include high coliform bacteria levels in some locations, particularly after storms. Boaters, entanglement in vegetation, visibility through the Hudson’s turbid waters, safe access to the water, and lack of proper supervision present additional risks.

A SAFE SOLUTION

River Pool at Beacon is a not-for-profit community organization that seeks to mitigate these risks by developing a flow through floating pool in the Hudson. The pool will keep swimmers safely protected from boaters and from entering potentially dangerous currents, while also preventing entrapment in vegetation, providing a consistent depth at all tidal conditions, be located in waters of safe, tested water quality (bacteria levels), and provide safe access so that people of all ages can safely enjoy swimming in our region’s most beautiful natural body of water.

ADDITIONAL SWIMMING INFORMATION

More information about swimming in the Hudson, including potentially new swimming sites, is available from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) which recently published a report, “ Swimming in the Hudson River Estuary” available at the NYSDEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5452.html.

The Hudson River Estuary Program
NYSDEC, Region 3 Office
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz, New York 12561
phone: (845) 256-3016, fax: (845) 255-3649
email: hrep@gw.dec.state.ny.us