July 12, 2007
Potomac Swim Ban Lifted for Triathlon
A few more tidbits keep trickling out about decisions made during the D.C. Council's action-packed final summer session earlier this week, and this one is ripe for a cascade of debate. Running enthusiast Mayor Adrian Fenty is determined to see the Nation's Triathlon, scheduled for Sept. 29, go forward this year, complete with a one-mile swim in the Potomac River. Last year, the swim part of the event was canceled after the health department determined the river was too filthy. But Council Member Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) introduced emergency legislation on the mayor's behalf Tuesday that will allow a one-day exemption to the law banning swimming in the Potomac for the triathlon. From the Examiner:
Though the bill passed unanimously, some council members scoffed at the notion that the notoriously polluted river could be considered clean enough to swim.
“It never entered my mind that anyone would swim in the Potomac,” said Council Member Jim Graham, D-Ward 1.
Indeed. This is the same river, after all, that is blamed for altering the gender of fish and only this week for having an algae problem that's making our water smell and taste funky. The idea of swimming in the stuff, untreated, boggles the mind -- just putting those two stories together right this moment reminds us it's high time to sign up for bottled water service.
Nevertheless, the Nation's Triathlon web site is triumphantly announcing the Council's decision with two exclamation points, albeit with a warning that the water quality will still need to be verified by the city’s environment department on race day. There are a reported 500 participants already signed up for the triathlon, Mayor Fenty among them. Would you swim in the Potomac?
Photo by LaTur
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But Fenty is practically Hitler, since he didn't do a cannonball and all.
Um, hell no.
But, since the Council passed the law saying it was OK...just this once, then it MUST be fine. After all, legislation trumps science in DC.
Isn't this more a matter of "we'll let the athletes go ahead and swim at their own risk?" But, yeah, Fenty didn't do a cannonball so I could never vote for him again, anyway.
I was driving down rock creek the other day and saw some people swimming just south of memorial bridge off the back of their boat. I was pretty astonished that people would willingly jump in for what appeared to be a fun swim.
Didn't Graham already push to shutdown the Potomac because somebody was killed in it?
So long swim ban, hello impetigo!
Maybe race organisers can integrate a detox shower between the swim exit and transition.
I end up swimming in the Potomac when kayaking and I miss my roll (which happens more than I'd like). But that's up river and I'm sure all the pollutants start below the Cabin John, right?
There's a long tradition in rowing that the cox for a winning boat gets tossed into the river after the race. Once my eight actually won and sure enough, a few minutes later I was in there with the intersex fish. That was the last race we won.
I might do it, if my doctor would give me a course of antibiotics afterwards if only as a precaution.
But, I would SO freak out if a snakehead fish brushed against my calf.
-Mr_T_in_DC
no way
For me, just being in a triathlon is proof of a severe mental problem. SO, have fun, swim away but eew... I feel bad for the sig-o's of the participants who have to sleep with them later. Sure, victory nookie is near obligatory, but I'd have to wash the sheets about 12 times.
This is just a ploy so that Fenty can swim through that toxic sludge and get super powers...or cancer. Crippling, debilitating cancer.
Either way, if he ever does do a cannonball, it will be that much more impressive.
guest 2:37: Wouldn't help you much; in a bio class of mine we took samples from different bodies of water and tested for antibiotic-resistant strains of common bacteria and found pretty high concentrations of them in the Potomac River.
Check out Three Sisters Island just north of the Key Bridge any given weekend...there will be a big group of boats anchored in the area and lots of people in the water.
I was in it yesterday, granted that was up at Harper's Ferry, but it seemed alright. Still I wish that there was a major effort to clean up the river system throughout, who needs pools when you can have catfish sucking on your toes??
What exactly is the Potomac polluted with or by?
Agricultural sediment, fertilizers, topsoil from construction, raw sewage. After a major storm, EVERYTHING ends up running into the Potomac, making it unswimmable for days.
"Would you swim in the Potomac?"
Hell no! I'm way too fond of my nads!
I was under the impression that generally it's ok so long as it hasn't rained a lot recently, and you don't have any open wounds. But then again, if that's the case, maybe you've got better things to do besides swimming.
I'll be in it. Most people are wimps about the river. What the hell do you think you're drinking in DC?
Reid's right.
Up stream from the Anacostia, the river is fine to swim in occasionally, so long as the stormwater/sewer system's not been overwhelmed recently.
The fish thing is due to bioconcentration and persistent chemicals in the sediment. You won't get much of that by swimming. Algae blooms are nutrient related. They're not a direct threat, though eutrophic conditions can feed nasty things, too.
Enjoy your waterskiing. Enjoy your swim. Enjoy your Eskimo rolls. Just don’t mistake the latter for sushi. I wouldn’t advise making a practice of eating anything caught south of Rock Creek.
i'd swim in the Potomac like i'd swim in the Hudson!
I always swim at whites ferry, it is wonderful.
The water there is very clean.
I'd swim in georgetown too, if it gets too hot.
True story: I swam in the river last August off my sister's boat, anchored off 3 Sisters Island. The water was refreshing, not cold at all. You do need a lifejacket b/c there are many deep spots even close to the shore, and you get tired of treading water.
Then 6 weeks later I got diagnosed with cancer.
No lie - altho the tumor was in my leg & had been there for weeks. The Potomac didn't cause it. Tumor's gone now - cut out, along with one of my quads...