There are two types of swimmers: Those who love a clear, chlorinated swimming pool, and the ones who prefer open bodies of water. If you’re among the latter and want to spend time on and in the Tennessee River this summer, you’re going to want to read this.

By Trista Ridge, Contributor

Fast Facts

Tennessee has over 60,000 miles of rivers and streams
Nearly 4,000 of those miles are harmed due to runoff from urban and suburban areas
There are nearly 6 million people living along the TN River watershed
122 miles of the river have bacterial contamination
The TN River is one of the most plastic-polluted rivers ever recorded in the world

How bad is the contamination?

What does this mean for Chattanoogans who like to swim in the local rivers and streams? We sat down with Mary Beth Sutton of local non-profit WaterWays to learn about river and stream water quality, and whether or not it's safe to swim in the open water.

The Tennessee River is in a constant state of contamination, but it’s usually at a safe level for people without severe skin and/or gut sensitivities unless there’s a lot of stormwater runoff. This runoff makes the water unsafe because of the city’s combined sewer and water system. Basically, when we get a lot of rain, this system overflows, and the runoff makes its way into the river, causing an increased level of bacteria—think E.coli and Giardia—from the sewage.

So, if we’ve received a lot of rain, it’s best to play it safe and stay out of the river.

The good news: When a river or creek is flowing, it’s cleaning itself using its own biodiverse systems, so it doesn’t take long for the water to be safe for swimmers again.

Bonus: If you’re interested in open water swimming, check out the Chattanooga Open Water Swimmer (aka COWS) to meet up with like-minded people.

You can check water quality online

The EPA monitors water quality at various points along the Tennessee River and its creeks and streams. You can look up the spot where you want to swim, and check the last reading in that area using the “How’s My Waterway” webpage.

Example: Check out this map of the downtown (37402 zip code) area’s waterways. We clicked on the water near Maclellan Island for a closer look—here’s the full report. The water quality for recreation—swimming, paddling, boating, etc.—is impaired, with Dioxin and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) found.

Why our water quality is important

Our watersheds are responsible for our drinking water, what we shower and bathe in, and it’s a huge indicator of a healthy ecosystem. Plus, it can be a big part of how locals like to experience the outdoors.

Water quality is also important to our tourism industry — think Head of the Hooch, IRONMAN, Chattajack 31, the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon, and more. Water quality can affect our economy.

Keeping our water healthy and clean is vital to our quality of life, and there are ways you can help.

Take action

There are many different avenues you can take to help improve our river and stream water quality, including:

Adopt-A-Waterway: Engage in a two-year commitment to a waterway segment of your choice, with at least one stewardship project required every year. Your site will have a sign that recognizes you, and you’ll be supported by WaterWays throughout your commitment.
RainSmart Yards—NoogaKnox Challenge 2022: This friendly contest is put in place to educate homeowners on how to cultivate a RainSmart yard by mitigating stormwater and limiting overall water usage. Bronze, silver, and gold awards are given to creek-friendly yards that capture and retain stormwater during rain events, as well as create a habitat for native plants and pollinators. Let’s beat Knox.
Speaking of yards, you can help the ground soak up more rain and lessen runoff by removing invasive species and planting native plants and trees.
Try to eliminate your use of single-use plastics—a major source of microplastics in our waterways.
Use compostable or reusable food containers, drinkware, and utensils.
Spread the word by forwarding this newsletter to friends.

Is it safe to swim in the Tennessee River?