The swim season is here again! For the second year, MWA will be testing popular swimming, wading, and paddling spots for E. coli during the swim season — May 1 to September 30 — so that users like you can make informed decisions about where to safely recreate… But we need your help!
While on the Yough this summer swimming, paddling, fishing, or even splashing around with your dog, you’re likely to get some great snapshots. Once you capture the perfect picture expressing exactly why you love the Yough, upload it to Instagram or Facebook and tag it #youghriver. Your photo could be chosen as one of the featured images on the Mountain Watershed Association Facebook page or used in our promotion materials! And don’t worry, we’ll ask permission before using any photos and credit will be given to the original photographer.
To learn more about the Swimmable Waters program, check out the Swimmable Waters page on our website. While there, learn about the 14 sampling locations of this project. These locations span the Youghiogheny River watershed from the mouth at McKeesport, upstream to Confluence, as well as several locations along numerous tributaries. The samples are rated on a green (low levels of E. coli) to red (high levels of E. coli) scale. Remember… Green means go!
Our website includes a quick-view table displaying the site names and their corresponding ratings and is updated every Friday during swim season. You can also visit the Waterkeeper Alliance Swim Guide at theswimguide.org to view the sampling sites and ratings on an interactive map, including results from all over the United States and other parts of the world! Finally, you can sign up for text alerts to be notified when new data is made available. Just text “YoughSwimmableWaters” (no spaces) to 84483 to subscribe (data and messaging rates may apply)!
So don’t forget, while you’re out on the Yough this summer, grab some cool pictures, tag them #youghriver and your photo could be the next chosen!