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.
According to an article by Jacob Fenston, “someday in the not-too-distant future, going for a swim in the District’s rivers could be a real option on a hot summer day.”
“In the latest step toward making swimming in the city possible, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a feasibility study, identifying areas on the Potomac and Anacostia rivers where it’s clean enough and safe enough to swim,” according to Fenston. The study is contingent on President Joe Biden signing the Congress-approved 2022 Water Resources Defense Act.
The possibility of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers being clean enough for swimming first made the Planetizen newsfeed in 2018, when the grades for water quality, granted by local advocates, first crossed into passing territory for both rivers. At the time, the Potomac River’s grade was a B, and the Anacostia a D-. In 2020, the most recent grade for the Potomac River, the grade had slipped slightly to a B-. Unfortunately, the grade for the Anacostia had slipped back into fail territory. So, the efforts of the Army Corps of Engineers will be a welcome addition to the clean up effort.
The Potomac Riverkeepers launched a campaign earlier this year, documented in another article by Fenston, to legalize swimming in the Potomac River for the first time in 50 years.
Local advocates note that people are already going in the water around D.C., but formal legalization would help clear the way for recreational locations devoted to swimming.
FULL STORY: Splash! Army Engineers To Study Possible Swimming Beaches On D.C.’s Rivers
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.