Historic Public Swim in Chicago River Marks Decades of Environmental Reclamation
Historic Public Swim in Chicago River Marks Decades of Environmental Reclamation
Hundreds of people made history yesterday, plunging into the Chicago River for the first official organized swim in nearly a century. The groundbreaking event, which saw approximately 300 participants brave the chilly waters for a mile-long loop, signifies a monumental achievement in the city’s decades-long efforts to transform one of America’s most historically polluted waterways into a vibrant, clean public space.
Doug McConnell, co-founder of A Long Swim and the driving force behind the event, expressed overwhelming emotion. “It’s unbelievable to see swimmers swim past us now,” he stated, reflecting on his decade-plus campaign to make the swim a reality, inspired by similar urban river swimming movements globally. The event attracted international attention, with applications from across the US and 13 countries, and McConnell hopes it will become an annual tradition.
The swim is a powerful testament to the progress made since the 1970s, when the Clean Water Act and the EPA initiated a new era of environmental protection. Once notoriously foul, the Chicago River’s reversal of flow in 1900 was a drastic measure to combat cholera and typhoid. Today, thanks to sustained cleanup efforts, improved infrastructure, and dedicated volunteers, the river boasts returning wildlife and a thriving riverside community.
Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River, highlighted the symbolic importance: “This swim is emblematic of all the work we’ve done over the past 50 years to improve our rivers. It shows you can change the destiny of any natural resource.” Participants, including Olympic gold medalist Olivia Smoliga, who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, experienced firsthand the river’s improved conditions. Smoliga called the ability to hold such an event “trippy, but really cool.”
Organizers conducted rigorous water testing in the weeks leading up to the event, confirming the river’s safety according to EPA standards for fecal coliform. While celebrating this milestone, environmental advocates emphasize the ongoing need for vigilance against potential rollbacks of environmental protections. Nevertheless, yesterday’s historic plunge firmly establishes the Chicago River as a beloved recreational asset, demonstrating the profound impact of collective environmental stewardship.
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