It’s hard to believe that we are already over halfway through the 2024 Swim Guide season. So far, we are proud to say that with we have collected around 500 water samples from 67 popular swimming and recreation sites throughout our Catawba-Wateree River Basin. This ongoing work would not be possible without the support from our corporate sponsors, Nucor and Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group, the generosity of individuals who are site sponsors, as well as all of the time that our volunteers, interns, and staff have dedicated to make this program possible. At this time, our results have been viewed over 30,000 times on our app alone, with Geitner Park on Lake Hickory is our most frequently checked site this summer.

Unfortunately, 15 times this summer, we have found elevated levels of fecal bacteria unsafe for swimming. Rocky Creek in Chester County, SC has failed 5 of the 8 weeks. We are currently working on a sampling plan to investigate why this issue continues to occur in this location.

As you can imagine, the amount of lab equipment, personnel, and gas that it takes to continue Swim Guide requires a significant financial commitment, but we know this program is worthwhile and is something that so many people across the Carolinas utilize when making their summertime plans with family and friends.

If you are able to, please consider giving a gift or even becoming a Swim Guide site sponsor by clicking here. We are also always in need volunteers. If you have questions or are interested in supporting our mission through volunteering, contact Volunteer & Community Science Manager Kaity D’Angelo at Kaity.d@catawbariverkeeper.org.

In addition to testing, we are also proposing several pieces of legislative for the 2025 session to reduce the sources of fecal contamination in our waters. You can find out more by viewing our 2024-2025 legislative agenda here. 

Thank you again to everyone who has helped me and my Protect team continue to do this work, along with so much more, to protect the Catawba River and to keep everyone who relies on it safe during their summer recreation!

Brandon Jones

Catawba Riverkeeper