A tremendous open space and recreation addition could be on the horizon for residents of Washington, D.C., but there's still work to do in cleaning the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.
"The reasons why you can’t safely or legally swim in the District’s rivers could be resolved within the next several years — a concrete milestone for clean rivers which until recently seemed difficult to envision," reports Mitch Wander.
Wander provides more details of the improving water quality of the Potomac River and the Anacostia River:
The Potomac Conservancy graded the Potomac a “B” in 2018, rising from a D- in 2007. The Anacostia Watershed Society rated the Anacostia a D- in 2018, the river’s first passing grade, with the ability to swim in the Anacostia by 2025 a stated goal. Both organizations, Rock Creek Conservancy, and their volunteers conduct extensive hands-on activities to improve our rivers.
According to Wander, the improved condition of the rivers are visible everywhere from nesting bald eagles to reduced trash and nitrogen to healthier fish. The article goes into detail about the benchmarks that will be necessary to achieve to clean the rivers enough for recreational swimming.
Planetizen also picked up news of D.C. Water's Clean River project, and the progress it's made in cleaning the Anacostia River, in July.
FULL STORY: DC’s rivers could be swimmable in the next several years
Want to Swim in the Potomac? Army Corps to Study the Possibility
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could soon study how to legalize swimming in the rivers around the nation’s capital—a scenario that would have seemed impossible in the not-too-distant past.
50 Years Later: Anacostia River to Welcome Swimmers
The Washington, D.C. region has accomplished a major environmental victory, cleaning up the Anacostia River enough for humans to swim in for the first time in five decades.
Is Your City Swimmable?
An interview with organizers of the inaugural Swimmable Cities Summit, which took place this June 22-24 in Rotterdam, NL.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie