Swimming in the Potomac River is Illegal, Drownings and Near-Drownings Reported

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service officials say there have been four drownings in and around the Potomac River over the past couple of weeks. Two of them happened in the DC area near Chain Bridge, and two happened here in Montgomery County. There have also been several near-drownings.

MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer says there have been times when water rescue crews responded to incidents, and they’ve observed hundreds of people on the Potomac River shoreline swimming and jumping into the water. Recently MCFRS launched efforts to educate the dangers of swimming in the Potomac River while reminding people that it is illegal.

Piringer added that rescue crews have had to respond to 20-30 incidents recently, not only in the Potomac River but also on the Billy Goat Trail. He explains what people need to be aware of in this video.