Potomac River, Antietam Creek Recreation Risky Due to Bacteria Levels; Statewide Warning Still Pending

UPDATE: Our most recent coverage of river conditions is located here.

Water-based activities along the Upper Potomac River from Cumberland to Brunswick continue to pose health risks as Allegany County Health Department and Potomac River Keepers reports detail raw sewage flows into Braddock Run and Georges Creek. Testing also shows concerning levels of bacteria in the Antietam Creek. Despite local advisories in Allegany County, no formal statewide notification has been issued beyond the county’s own alert and privately issued warnings.

In late June, Allegany County notified residents that flooding had overwhelmed sewer lines, sending raw sewage into Braddock Run (downstream from Upper LaVale into Wills Creek and then the Potomac) and into Georges Creek between Shaft and the Westernport treatment plant. These disclosures underscore elevated E. coli and other bacteria dangers in these tributaries, but similar warnings have not yet been issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment or other state agencies for areas downstream outside Allegany County. A warning is still present on Allegany County’s website speaking to the bacteria concerns.

While weekly testing by theswimguide.org shows all Upper Potomac sites—ranging from Williamsport to Brunswick—failing Maryland’s 128 MPN safety standard for two straight weeks, no statewide alert or closure has appeared. Testing also showed extremely high levels in the Antietam Creek at Security Road near Hagerstown, with 1262.7 MPN. Private organizations are urging caution, but outside Allegany County, formal advisories remain absent. Maryland Department of Natural Resources did share the Allegany County advisory, but that advisory does not speak to the ramifications of outside Allegany County.

Health experts stress that contact with water contaminated by raw sewage can cause severe gastrointestinal, ear and skin infections. Children and pets should be kept out of the river, and adults who wade in should avoid submerging their heads and must wash thoroughly after any water contact. Discolored or turbid water should be treated as an additional hazard. Boaters and anglers are advised to clean hands and gear before eating. And most importantly, do not drink the water.

At time of publication, no official warnings have been issued by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources or any other government agency for the Potomac River outside of Allegany County.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from Potomac River Keepers and the Allegany County Health Department

---