A decades-long, multi-sector effort to restore and conserve the Anacostia Watershed is paying off, with residents now able to regularly enjoy a safe and healthy Anacostia through boating, fishing, and other recreational activities. On September 23, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, in partnership with the Anacostia Riverkeeper and the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), will host a one-day swim event in the Anacostia.

This is the first time in over 50 years that residents will be able to legally swim in the Anacostia River, a tributary to the Potomac River and part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

The event celebrates our region’s progress towards restoring the Anacostia Watershed and protecting it from pollutants and other runoff that impacts water health and quality. Restoration of the Anacostia began in the mid-1980s and was accelerated by the formation of the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership (AWRP) in 2006, led by COG and made up of local, state, and federal agencies, environmental organizations, and private citizens.

Through the Partnership, area stakeholders, including non-profit organizations such as Anacostia Riverkeeper, work together to identify priorities and implement restoration projects that improve water quality, enhance fish and wildlife habitats, and create recreational opportunities for the surrounding community.

While swimming is still prohibited in District waters, sanctioned swim events such as the 2023 Anacostia River Splash on September 23 are a safe and fun way to celebrate the beauty of the Anacostia and promote continued conservation and restoration efforts of our local watersheds.

More information about the 2023 Anacostia River Splash can be found on the Anacostia Riverkeeper website.