Is it safe to swim in the Detroit River?

The flow of the Detroit River keeps out most industrial contaminants and flushes out bacteria within hours or days. Experts suggested a rule of thumb to avoid a bacterial infection while swimming: Stay out of the water after a heavy rain, which can wash bird poop from the shore into the water.



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Some fish in the Detroit River shouldn't be eaten because there are too many chemicals in them, but there are plenty of fish that are OK to eat. You just need to choose wisely. The Eat Safe Fish Guide can help you choose safer fish to eat from lakes and rivers in Michigan.

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The river cuts through sandstones, limestones and some dolostones. But the culprit for the beautiful blue is the limestone! Limestone is composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and is white in color. As the river breaks down this rock into tiny crystals, these crystals will get mixed up into the water.

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As you travel almost a mile, 75 feet below the surface of the Detroit River, you're surrounded by 574 lights, 80,000 cubic yards of concrete, and 750 tons of reinforced steel. The Tunnel has 4 acres of roadway area and one of the most elaborate ventilation systems ever devised.

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The Detroit River is home to over 65 species of fish! The more commonly targeted fish for sport and consumption include Silver Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Bluegill, Crappie, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Walleye, Brown Bullhead, Carp and Channel Catfish.

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The river is deepest near the Ambassador Bridge that connects Detroit and Windsor. The Detroit River is 53 feet deep at its greatest depth according to a recent NOAA nautical chart.

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