Ever dreamt of swimming in the Anacostia River? Take the plunge in the first annual Anacostia River Splash

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Have you ever dreamt of swimming in the Anacostia River?

Well you might be able to fulfill that dream because on Saturday, for the first time in over 50 years, people are welcome to take a splash in the Anacostia River.

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Back in 1971, swimming or wading in waters around D.C. was made illegal because of safety concerns surrounding the water quality. But since then, Anacostia Riverkeeper and other advocacy groups have been working hard to improve the water quality.

Then, in 2018, the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment made an amendment which allowed people to swim in the Anacostia River during permitted events; thus the first annual Anacostia River Splash.

Participants will need to sign up to take a splash where they will be able to briefly swim during a designated 20-minute time slot.

All participants have to be 18 years or older, be comfortable with swimming in deep waters and be able to climb in out of the water using a dock ladder.

For more information, click here.

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