Data gathered about the bacteria levels in local river water have put several swimming and boating spots in the safe or concerning category on a national water safety registry.
The Potomac RiverKeeper Network contributes water samples regularly in the regional watershed. Their last sampling on July 18, 2025 showed trouble spots on the Potomac River, with higher levels of bacteria near the riverbank in several areas, including Williamsport, Md. and Shepherdstown, W.Va. Results are shown on the nationwide water recreation site, www.theswimguide.org.
River locations in Morgan County have gotten a green light, however, including the river access at Paw Paw’s boat ramp, plus three spots on the Cacapon River – Fishers Bridge, Rockford Road and Great Cacapon where the Cacapon and Potomac rivers meet.
Cacapon Institute, a local environmental and educational organization, manages the Cacapon River testing sites and the Paw Paw site for the Potomac, which they report on monthly. All local sites are reported to meet water quality standards 95% of the time.
No data was available for the Hancock boat ramp or at McCoy’s Ferry in Washington County.