Is it safe to swim in Delaware River?

Swimming in areas of the river outside the life guarded beaches is permitted, but not recommended. Strong currents, sharp drop-offs, and constantly changing river conditions make many areas unsafe for swimming. Wearing a properly fitting life jacket is strongly recommended when swimming.



The safety of swimming in the Delaware River in 2026 depends entirely on your specific location. While most sections of the river are designated for "primary contact" recreation (swimming and kayaking), a 27-mile stretch between Philadelphia, Camden, and Chester is currently deemed unsafe for swimming due to legacy industrial pollution and high bacteria levels. In these urban zones, the water quality does not meet the "swimmable" gold standard, posing risks of illness if ingested. However, high-value restoration projects are underway to upgrade these zones for future public use. For 2026 swimmers, the premier advice is to use the Delaware River Bacteria Data Viewer to check real-time water quality before jumping in. Outside of the urban industrial corridor, the river is a high-quality destination for tubing and swimming, provided you check for local currents and seasonal water advisory alerts.

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For its size, the Upper Delaware River contains some of the highest water quality in the eastern United States. The upper portion of the watershed remains largely forested. These forests act as a natural buffer against pollution and erosion by filtering water, which is very important for maintaining water quality.

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Certainly, not all waterways are swimmable even in 2019, but they are much cleaner. Some portions of the Delaware are swimmable based on bacteria levels. Other portions are not, including where the teens gathered near the defunct Pier 18, also known as Graffiti Pier.

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Children aged 12 and under MUST wear Coast Guard-approved lifejackets at all times when on the river. Jackets must fit appropriately, and be fully fastened to be effective. Wearing a life jacket is not just common sense, it is THE LAW.

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Enjoy a scenic, fun and refreshing 3 - 4 hour tube, raft, canoe or kayak ride down the Delaware River, which is the nation's most historic river and perfect for outdoor water sport activities.

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On March 24, 2023, the Trinseo Altuglas chemical plant in Bristol, Pennsylvania in the United States had an equipment failure that resulted in a leak of between 8,100 and 12,000 gallons of butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and methyl methacrylate into Otter Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.

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For swimming, walking, playing, reading or snoozing on the beach, the Delaware Bay's beaches strongly rival any ocean beach. Here you'll find quiet, beautiful, and uncrowded beaches.

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Within the Upper Delaware Region, snakes are found in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Some snakes, like the Northern Watersnake, prefer aquatic habitats and are often found in slow-moving or standing water with places they can bask in the sun. The Northern Watersnake is commonly seen in and along the river.

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However, the most famous fact about the Delaware River is the famous crossing of it by George Washington in 1776 which helped him successfully surprise Hessian troops in New Jersey during the American Revolution.

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The chemicals released into the Delaware River include butyl acrylate, a flammable liquid used to manufacture paints, coatings, caulks, sealants, and adhesives. The same chemical was also released into a river in East Palestine, Ohio as a result of the Norfolk Southern train derailment.

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The dead zone on the river ran from Philadelphia to about 25 miles down river in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. That made it impossible for migratory fish like shad to breed. They would die on their journey upstream before they could lay their eggs in the upper Delaware. Once plentiful caviar and sturgeon also disappeared.

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I encourage residents who want to make sure they have water available to fill bottles or pitchers of tap water and am confident that there is no risk at this time as no contaminants have been detected in the Delaware River water. Again, tap water continues to be safe.”

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Residents can track the impact of the spill on a map provided by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. Officials say there is no risk associated with inhaling the water or skin contact. Bathing and showering with water is fine.

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