How's Swim Guide Going?

Brandon Jones • July 18, 2024

A Mid-Season Update

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

Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Coalition Summer Meeting

By Mo Drinkard • August 14, 2026
Earlier this month, the Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Coalition hosted their Summer Meeting at Confluence South Fork in Cramerton, NC. During the meeting, attendees received updates on projects occurring in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, including: Updates from Duke Energy on recreation, invasive species, shoreline management, and the current drought. Highlights from the latest Integrated Water Resources Plan including recommendations for ongoing and future management of our river system. Regional project updates throughout the river basin. You can view the slide decks shared at the meeting by clicking on the links below: Catawba Riverkeeper Update CWWMG Integrated Water Resources Plan Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Coalition Shoreline Management Plan Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Coalition Brief History Catawba-Wateree Recreation Use and Needs Study and Project Updates

What Is The Floating Classroom?

By Madison Washington • August 6, 2026
Catawba Riverkeeper Floating Classroom

What is Swim Guide?

By Madison Washington • July 23, 2026
Whether you're planning a day at the lake or a weekend on the river, knowing if the water is safe for swimming is an important part of any outdoor adventure. Today, that information is only a few clicks away thanks to Swim Guide, a program that has grown from a local initiative into the world's largest recreational water quality network.