100 Years Later, River Is Clean Enough to Swim In!

The United States’ Chicago River hosted its first organised open-water swim in almost a century — a symbolic moment that underscores how far its cleanup has come.

“It’s overwhelming to see this happen, it’s unbelievable to see swimmers swim past us now,” said Doug McConnell, organiser of the event.

Around 300 swimmers participated on September 21, 2025, completing a mile-long loop through the river. Organisers conducted extensive water quality tests in the days leading up to the event, confirming that the standards were safe for swimming. Over decades, efforts under the Clean Water Act, pollution controls, and volunteer restoration work have revived the river, allowing wildlife to return and communities to reclaim the waterway. This swim marks more than a symbolic moment; it shows that with sustained commitment, even rivers once deemed “untouchable” can become sources of joy, recreation, and renewal.