Open Water Data

Anacostia River - Anacostia Park

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Data Sources
  • Water Quality Status
    Passed tests Thu, Jun 26, 2025 at 3:29pm
  • Air Temperature
    6°C / 42.8°F (air) Sun, Dec 4, 2022 at 11:00pm
  • Wind
    6.8 - 2.2km/h NE 40° Sun, Dec 4, 2022 at 11:00pm
  • Partly cloudy
    Partly cloudy Sun, Dec 4, 2022 at 11:00pm
  • Precipitation
    0mm Sun, Dec 4, 2022 at 11:00pm
  • Air Visibility
    16km Sun, Dec 4, 2022 at 11:00pm
  • Humidity
    65% Sun, Dec 4, 2022 at 11:00pm

Anacostia park is tested off the Anacostia Park Boat ramp, located just south of the CSX and next to the Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavillion.

**WARNING: SWIMMING IS PROHIBITED IN D.C. RIVERS AND STREAMS, REGARDLESS OF THE CURRENT STATUS**

A “green” rating is demonstrative of the E. coli levels at one point in time.

The Anacostia River is designated as a Class A waterway, which means primary contact, however the DC Department of Health (DOH) bans swimming in the Anacostia due to sewage overflows. The risk of high bacteria levels after a heavy rain storm is the only reason it is considered “unsafe” to swim in the river. The activation of the Clean Rivers Project on the Anacostia River is expected to prevent 80% of sewer overflow volume, getting us significantly closer to a swimmable river 365 days a year.

When there is a red "special status" update, there has been a combined sewage overflow (CSO) in the past 48 hours. This means it is extremely likely there are unsafe levels of bacteria in the river, and it is recommended to be extra cautious if you are close to the river or come in contact with the water.

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

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