SWIM GUIDE SAMPLING
Swim Guide delivers free real-time water quality information for over 7,000 beaches, lakes, rivers, and swimming holes in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Bahamas, Ireland, France, New Zealand, and Australia. It helps you easily find your closest beaches, know at a glance which ones are safe for swimming, and share your love of beaches with friends and family.
Created and managed by Swim Drink Fish Canada (formerly Lake Ontario Waterkeeper), Swim Guide can be used by any public interest club, organization, or agency to share beach information with the public.
Want to help us out? Please consider sponsoring one water sample for Swim Guide for $30, or sponsor a site for the entire summer for $500 here!
RESULTS
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2026
The last Swim Guide results of the season are in, and 20 out of 20 sites sampled passed this week!
A big THANK YOU to all the volunteers and sponsors that make Swim Guide possible! We couldn’t do it without you!
Swim Guide will start up again the week of Memorial Day. Have a safe long weekend!
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¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 20 de 20 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
WEEK OF AUGUST 26, 2026
Our Swim Guide results are in for the week! Two sites failed this week, Burch Station and Yadkin Shores. Please check back next week for our last week of Swim Guide this year!
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¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 21 de 23 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
WEEK OF AUGUST 19, 2026
Our Swim Guide results are in for the week! 4 sites failed this week: Crater Park, Burch Station, Shoals, and HWY 64. Rain moving through the watershed earlier this week from Elkin to Pilot Mountain most likely caused an increase of runoff and higher bacteria levels at these sites.
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¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 4 de 26 sitios no pasaron la guía de seguridad: Crater Park, Burch Station, Shoals, y HWY 64.
WEEK OF AUGUST 13, 2026
This week's Swim Guide results are in. 15 out of 26 sites passed this week. Failing sites are Yadkin Valley Community Park, Ferguson, Smoot Park, Roaring River, Ronda, Crater, Yadkin Shore, Shoals, Donnaha, Old 421, and Bullhole.
This is likely due to heavy precipitation passing through these locations over the weekend and Monday. Sporadic or heavy rain can contribute to higher levels of E. coli due to stirring up sediment or dirt at the bottom of the water that houses dormant bacteria. Additionally, storm water could carry contaminated runoff containing trace amounts of human or animal waste into waterways.
Yadkin Riverkeeper samples and tests 26 sites in the Yadkin-Pee Dee river basin for E. coli and publishes the results as part of the Swim Guide program. This helps keep communities safe and informed on the health of their waterways. Share and spread the word!
Want to support the Swim Guide program? Consider sponsoring a site!
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
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Yadkin Riverkeepers evalúan la calidad del agua en 26 sitios de la cuenca de Yadkin cada miércoles. Examinamos el nivel de la bacteria E. coli en el agua para determinar si están a salvo para nadar y remar en el río y los lagos. Un sitio fallaría la guía de seguridad si el nivel de E. coli es más de 235 cfu/100 mL de agua. Publicamos los resultados cada jueves por la tarde.
¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 15 de 26 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
¿Quiere apoyar a la Guía de Natación?
Puede patrocinar una muestra de agua en linea siguiendo este enlace:
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
WEEK OF AUGUST 6, 2026
Taking a quick break from the Long Paddle posts to share this week's Swim Guide results!
10 out of 26 sites passed this week. The passing sites are Happy Valley School, Yadkin Valley Community Park, Boomer, Berry Mountain, Ft. Hamby, Tailwater at West Kerr Scott, Burch Station, Abbott's Creek, Buddle, and Pebble.
These high levels are likely due to the sporadic precipitation that's been occurring in both the northern and southern Yadkin regions. It looks like storms will continue into next week, so these scores will likely remain high. Stay safe and avoid swimming or paddling completely if any lightning is present.
Yadkin Riverkeeper samples and tests 26 sites in the Yadkin-Pee Dee river basin for E. coli and publishes the results as part of the Swim Guide program. This helps keep communities safe and informed on the health of their waterways. Share and spread the word!
Want to support the Swim Guide program? Consider sponsoring a site!
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
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Yadkin Riverkeepers evalúan la calidad del agua en 26 sitios de la cuenca de Yadkin cada miércoles. Examinamos el nivel de la bacteria E. coli en el agua para determinar si están a salvo para nadar y remar en el río y los lagos. Un sitio fallaría la guía de seguridad si el nivel de E. coli es más de 235 cfu/100 mL de agua. Publicamos los resultados cada jueves por la tarde.
¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 10 de 26 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
¿Quiere apoyar a la Guía de Natación?
Puede patrocinar una muestra de agua en linea siguiendo este enlace:
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
WEEK OF JULY 30, 2026
This week's Swim Guide results are in and looking much better than last week! 21 out of 26 sites passed. The failing sites are Ferguson, Burch Station, Yadkin Shore, and the Bullhole. Ft. Hamby's score will be updated after further testing from the U.S. army.
Swearing Creek, an immediate tributary to High Rock Lake, was also tested. Last week it was reported that flooding in the Lexington area caused an overflow of untreated wastewater into the creek. Swearing Creek received a passing score of 14.6. However, this doesn't necessarily mean the water is safe to swim or paddle in. Untreated wastewater can contain heavy metals like copper or lead, or industrial chemicals. These could result in lower bacteria levels but still be very harmful to come in contact with. It is recommended to wait for updates from the city of Lexington.
Yadkin Riverkeeper samples and tests 26 sites in the Yadkin-Pee Dee river basin for E. coli and publishes the results as part of the Swim Guide program. This helps keep communities safe and informed on the health of their waterways. Share and spread the word!
Want to support the Swim Guide program? Consider sponsoring a site!
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
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Yadkin Riverkeepers evalúan la calidad del agua en 26 sitios de la cuenca de Yadkin cada miércoles. Examinamos el nivel de la bacteria E. coli en el agua para determinar si están a salvo para nadar y remar en el río y los lagos. Un sitio fallaría la guía de seguridad si el nivel de E. coli es más de 235 cfu/100 mL de agua. Publicamos los resultados cada jueves por la tarde.
¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 21 de 26 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
¿Quiere apoyar a la Guía de Natación?
Puede patrocinar una muestra de agua en linea siguiendo este enlace:
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
WEEK OF JULY 23, 2026
This week's Swim Guide results are in! Unfortunately, only six sites passed this week. The passing sites are Boomer, Ft. Hamby, Berry Mountain, Tailwater at West Kerr Scott, Pebble Beach, and Buddle Creek. Ft. Hamby's swimming access.
The high E. coli levels are very likely a result of the back-to-back storms we've been experiencing throughout central NC. The heavy rain stirs up bacteria in river sediment and carries runoff containing human or animal waste.
The tests for Bullhole, Abbott's Creek, and Concord Church Boating Access (801) had to be counted as invalid, so their scores are listed as N/A this week. It seems that high iron, manganese, and/or hydrogen sulfide levels were present in the water samples from these sites.. These are all naturally present in the environment, and unusually high levels that can interfere with tests are likely due to the rain stirring up red clay and sediment (which are high in iron).
Yadkin Riverkeeper samples and tests 26 sites in the Yadkin-Pee Dee river basin for E. coli and publishes the results as part of the Swim Guide program. This helps keep communities safe and informed on the health of their waterways. Share and spread the word!
Want to support the Swim Guide program? Consider sponsoring a site!
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
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Yadkin Riverkeepers evalúan la calidad del agua en 26 sitios de la cuenca de Yadkin cada miércoles. Examinamos el nivel de la bacteria E. coli en el agua para determinar si están a salvo para nadar y remar en el río y los lagos. Un sitio fallaría la guía de seguridad si el nivel de E. coli es más de 235 cfu/100 mL de agua. Publicamos los resultados cada jueves por la tarde.
¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 6 de 26 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
¿Quiere apoyar a la Guía de Natación?
Puede patrocinar una muestra de agua en linea siguiendo este enlace:
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
WEEK OF JULY 16, 2026
This week's results for Swim Guide are in! 16 out of 26 sites received a passing score. The failing sites are Yadkin Valley Community Park, Ferguson, Ronda, Crater, Burch Station, Yadkin Shore, Shoals Road, Hwy 64, Boone's Cave Park, and York Hill. Fort Hamby's swimming access is still closed, but a sample was taken there this week.
Similarly to last week, the majority of failing sites seem to be in places that have gotten heavy precipitation recently. This can carry runoff into waterways or stir up sediment, resulting in higher bacteria levels.
Yadkin Riverkeeper samples and tests 26 sites in the Yadkin-Pee Dee river basin for E. coli and publishes the results as part of the Swim Guide program. This helps keep communities safe and informed on the health of their waterways. Share and spread the word!
Want to support the Swim Guide program? Consider sponsoring a site! https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
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Yadkin Riverkeepers evalúan la calidad del agua en 26 sitios de la cuenca de Yadkin cada miércoles. Examinamos el nivel de la bacteria E. coli en el agua para determinar si están a salvo para nadar y remar en el río y los lagos. Un sitio fallaría la guía de seguridad si el nivel de E. coli es más de 235 cfu/100 mL de agua. Publicamos los resultados cada jueves por la tarde.
¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 16 de 26 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
¿Quiere apoyar a la Guía de Natación?
Puede patrocinar una muestra de agua en linea siguiendo este enlace: https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
WEEK OF JULY 9, 2026
This week's results for Swim Guide are in! Levels seem to be quite high, with 11 sites failing. The failing sites are Happy Valley School, Yadkin Valley Community Park, Ferguson, Smoot Park, Roaring River, Ronda, Crater Park, Burch Station, Yadkin Shores, Shoals, and Donnaha. Ft. Hamby was closed as of yesterday due to the water being too low for swimming, so a sample could not be taken there this week.
Most of these areas with high levels are located in the Upper Yadkin, which received heavy storms earlier this week. The drastic change in weather may have caused a spike of E. coli. Heavy rainfall stirs up sediment, and with it dormant bacteria. This makes the water very murky and potentially foul smelling.
Boomer and Berry Mountain were reported to be shallower than usual, so the sample had to be collected further out, near the buoys. These two locations may be too shallow for recreation at this time.
Yadkin Riverkeeper samples and tests 26 sites in the Yadkin-Pee Dee river basin for E. coli and publishes the results as part of the Swim Guide program. This helps keep communities safe and informed on the health of their waterways. Share and spread the word!
Want to support the Swim Guide program? Consider sponsoring a site!
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
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Yadkin Riverkeepers evalúan la calidad del agua en 26 sitios de la cuenca de Yadkin cada miércoles. Examinamos el nivel de la bacteria E. coli en el agua para determinar si están a salvo para nadar y remar en el río y los lagos. Un sitio fallaría la guía de seguridad si el nivel de E. coli es más de 235 cfu/100 mL de agua. Publicamos los resultados cada jueves por la tarde.
¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 14 de 26 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
¿Quiere apoyar a la Guía de Natación?
Puede patrocinar una muestra de agua en linea siguiendo este enlace:
WEEK OF JULY 1, 2026
Swim Guide results for this week are in a day early to plan ahead for the 4th of July Weekend! All sites passed this week except Ferguson, which scored 387.3. For the first time this season, Smoot Park passed with a score of 67.7!
High UV levels can kill E. coli and decrease their colony numbers. However, it's important to note that another reason levels might show as lower than usual this week is due to taking the samples a day earlier. E. coli, like most bacteria, multiply fast in their "sweet spot" temperature of around 98° F. Therefore, E. coli can continue to increase day-to-day if pollution is continuously available. Always use your best judgment when swimming or paddling- if the water has a foul odor or is much murkier than usual, try finding a different spot.
The heat index will be very high this weekend, so remember to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen even if it's cloudy. Have a safe and fun 4th of July!
Yadkin Riverkeeper samples and tests 26 sites in the Yadkin-Pee Dee river basin for E. coli and publishes the results as part of the Swim Guide program. This helps keep communities safe and informed on the health of their waterways. Share and spread the word!
Want to support the Swim Guide program? Consider sponsoring a site!
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
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Yadkin Riverkeepers evalúan la calidad del agua en 26 sitios de la cuenca de Yadkin cada miércoles. Examinamos el nivel de la bacteria E. coli en el agua para determinar si están a salvo para nadar y remar en el río y los lagos. Un sitio fallaría la guía de seguridad si el nivel de E. coli es más de 235 cfu/100 mL de agua. Publicamos los resultados cada jueves por la tarde.
¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 25 de 26 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
¿Quiere apoyar a la Guía de Natación?
Puede patrocinar una muestra de agua en linea siguiendo este enlace:
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
WEEK OF JUNE 25, 2026
Full speed ahead- here are the results for Swim Guide this week!
23 out of 26 sites passed. The Bullhole has no results this week due to an error made while processing the sample. Smoot Park has failed again this week, as well as Yadkin Valley Community Park which was unusually high.
Yadkin Valley Community Park's spike in E. coli levels could be attributed to recent fertilization of nearby fields. Organic fertilizers derived from livestock waste such as chicken litter are widely used since they are relatively low-cost and have an excellent balance of macro nutrients. However, without proper aging or hot composting, the E. coli that naturally live in the gut of these animals can leach into the environment and nearby waterways. Recent rain could have led to an increase in the amount of fertilizer runoff entering water.
Yadkin Riverkeeper samples and tests 26 sites in the Yadkin-Pee Dee river basin for E. coli and publishes the results as part of the Swim Guide program. This helps keep communities safe and informed on the health of their waterways. Share and spread the word!
Want to support the Swim Guide program? Consider sponsoring a site! https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
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Yadkin Riverkeepers evalúan la calidad del agua en 26 sitios de la cuenca de Yadkin cada miércoles. Examinamos el nivel de la bacteria E. coli en el agua para determinar si están a salvo para nadar y remar en el río y los lagos. Un sitio fallaría la guía de seguridad si el nivel de E. coli es más de 235 cfu/100 mL de agua. Publicamos los resultados cada jueves por la tarde.
¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 23 de 26 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
¿Quiere apoyar a la Guía de Natación?
Puede patrocinar una muestra de agua en linea siguiendo este enlace: https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
WEEK OF JUNE 18, 2026
Here are the Swim Guide results for this week! 24 out of 26 sites passed.
Smoot Park and Ferguson have consistently been problem areas. This week, an additional test was taken upstream from Ferguson at Elk Creek to determine potential causes for contamination. This extra test received a passing score of 78, which might indicate runoff or pollution issues with campgrounds or farms closer to Ferguson.
Yadkin Riverkeeper samples and tests 26 sites in the Yadkin-Pee Dee river basin for E. coli and publishes the results as part of the Swim Guide program. This helps keep communities safe and informed on the health of their waterways. Share and spread the word!
Want to support the Swim Guide program? Consider sponsoring a site! https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
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Yadkin Riverkeepers evalúan la calidad del agua en 26 sitios de la cuenca de Yadkin cada miércoles. Examinamos el nivel de la bacteria E. coli en el agua para determinar si están a salvo para nadar y remar en el río y los lagos. Un sitio fallaría la guía de seguridad si el nivel de E. coli es más de 235 cfu/100 mL de agua. Publicamos los resultados cada jueves por la tarde.
¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 24 de 26 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
¿Quiere apoyar a la Guía de Natación?
Puede patrocinar una muestra de agua en linea siguiendo este enlace: https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
WEEK OF JUNE 11, 2026
This week's Swim Guide results are in!
19 out of 26 sites passed. Happy Valley School could not be sampled this week.
As spring is nearing its end, many fields are being fertilized to give crops a nutrient boost before the summer heat. As a result, sites closer to agricultural areas are potentially more likely to have heightened E. coli levels due to runoff.
Share to spread the word and raise awareness for the health of Yadkin's waterways!
Want to support our Swim Guide program? Sponsor a Swim Guide site!
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
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Yadkin Riverkeepers evalúan la calidad del agua en 26 sitios de la cuenca de Yadkin cada miércoles. Examinamos el nivel de la bacteria E. coli en el agua para determinar si están a salvo para nadar y remar en el río y los lagos. Un sitio fallaría la guía de seguridad si el nivel de E. coli es más de 235 cfu/100 mL de agua. Publicamos los resultados cada jueves por la tarde.
¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 19 de 26 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
¿Quiere apoyar a la Guía de Natación?
Puede patrocinar una muestra de agua en linea siguiendo este enlace:
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
WEEK OF JUNE 4, 2026
Swim Guide results are in. There is a huge improvement from last week with 22 out of 26 sites passing! Abbott's Creek could not be tested this week due to road closure.
The lack of precipitation this week and higher UV index are potential causes for lower E. Coli levels.
Share to spread the word and raise awareness for the health of Yadkin's waterways!
Want to support our Swim Guide program? Sponsor a Swim Guide site!
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
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Yadkin Riverkeepers evalúan la calidad del agua en 26 sitios de la cuenca de Yadkin cada miércoles. Examinamos el nivel de la bacteria E. coli en el agua para determinar si están a salvo para nadar y remar en el río y los lagos. Un sitio fallaría la guía de seguridad si el nivel de E. coli es más de 235 cfu/100 mL de agua. Publicamos los resultados cada jueves por la tarde.
¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 22 de 26 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad.
¿Quiere apoyar a la Guía de Natación?
Puede patrocinar una muestra de agua en linea siguiendo este enlace:
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
WEEK OF MAY 28, 2026
This week's Swim Guide results are in. 9 out of 26 sites passed this week. Yadkin Riverkeeper and volunteers collect water samples weekly during the summer to test for E. Coli at river and lake accesses.
Due to the high amount of precipitation earlier this week, there are currently elevated E. Coli levels in the river.
If you'd like to support the the Swim Guide program, you can become a sponsor through this link:
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide-sponsorship
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Yadkin Riverkeepers evalúan la calidad del agua en 26 sitios de la cuenca de Yadkin cada miércoles. Examinamos el nivel de la bacteria E. coli en el agua para determinar si están a salvo para nadar y remar en el río y los lagos. Un sitio fallaría la guía de seguridad si el nivel de E. coli es más de 235 cfu/100 mL de agua. Publicamos los resultados cada jueves por la tarde.
WEEK OF MAY 21, 2026
Our first week of Swim Guide results are in! 18 out of 21 sites sampled this week passed! Yadkin Riverkeeper and volunteers collect water samples weekly to test for E. coli at river and lake accesses.
Due to the drought, there are low water levels at Kerr Scott Lake. We will not be sampling at Fort Hamby, Boomer, and Berry Mountain until the public beaches open. With the rain and resulting runoff this weekend, it is likely bacteria levels will increase; please take extra precautions when enjoying the river!
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¡Tenemos los resultados de la Guía de Natación esta semana! 18 de 21 sitios pasaron la guía de seguridad. Debido a la sequía, los niveles del lago son bajos en el lago Kerr Scott. No recogeremos muestras de agua en Fort Hamby, Boomer y Berry Mountain hasta que las playas públicas abran. Con la lluvia y la escorrentía este fin de semana, es probable que los niveles de bacterias aumenten; por favor tome precauciones adicionales cuando disfrute del río!