On Sunday, hundreds of adventurous individuals took a plunge into the Chicago River, participating in the first organized swim in nearly a century. This remarkable event signifies a major transformation for what was once considered one of the most polluted waterways in the world. Approximately 300 participants, some clad in wetsuits, embraced the chilly waters for a mile-long looping swim, showcasing the significant strides the United States has made in cleaning its rivers over the past fifty years.
“It’s overwhelming to see this happen; it’s unbelievable to see swimmers swim past us now,” expressed Doug McConnell, the lead organizer of the event. As a native of the Chicago area and co-founder of A Long Swim, McConnell has spent over a decade advocating for the city to permit swimming in the river. This event marks the first such occasion since 1927, as urban river swimming gains popularity in cities like Paris, Munich, and Amsterdam. “We are thrilled we are finally doing this, and it has gained global attention – we received applications from across the U.S. and 13 countries,” he noted, expressing hope that this initiative will become an annual tradition and inspire similar events in other U.S. cities.
While McConnell refrained from jumping into the water himself, he is an accomplished long-distance swimmer, having crossed the English Channel and circumnavigated Manhattan—all to raise funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research. “I think the water conditions will surprise people because it will be cleaner than they expect,” he stated. “The psychology of many Chicagoans was that the river is untouchable – but today we are proving otherwise.” Reflecting on his grandfather's experience growing up in a Chicago where the river was deemed utterly toxic, McConnell emphasized the dramatic change in public perception and environmental quality.
The Chicago River has endured a tumultuous past marked by pollution and neglect. Each year, it is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day, but its history includes darker moments, such as the infamous 2004 incident where the Dave Matthews Band's tour bus released 800 pounds of human waste into the river, directly impacting a boat filled with unsuspecting tourists. Historically, Chicago treated its slow-moving river as a dumping ground for sewage and industrial waste, leading to severe public health crises, including cholera and typhoid outbreaks. In a groundbreaking move in 1900, the city reversed the river's flow to protect its drinking water from contamination.
Today, the 156-mile (265 km) river flows from Lake Michigan through Chicago and ultimately into the Gulf of Mexico. “We treated the river like it was part of the sewer system, which haunted us,” said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River. Riverside buildings typically lacked windows overlooking what was once known as “the stinking river,” and until recently, the thought of swimming in it was considered outrageous. Frisbie noted that when Friends of the Chicago River was established in 1979, many viewed their vision to restore the river as unrealistic. However, the 1970s marked a pivotal era for environmental restoration in the U.S., highlighted by the passage of the Clean Water Act and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
With the closure of slaughterhouses, improved sewage infrastructure, and dedicated volunteer efforts, the Chicago River has seen a remarkable revival. Various wildlife species, including fish, beavers, and even the locally famous snapping turtle known as Chonkosaurus, have returned. A public pathway completed in 2016 now connects downtown Chicago with the riverfront, allowing residents to enjoy a cleaner river where swimming is now a reality. On September 12, it was announced that Friends of the Chicago River received an international award recognizing its transformative efforts.
On the day of the swim, participants lined up in their robes, serenaded by the Chicago Police Department’s bagpipes and drums, before diving into the river with flotation devices secured to their waists. Organizers conducted rigorous water quality tests in the weeks leading up to the event, ensuring it met EPA standards for safety. Among the vetted swimmers was Olivia Smoliga, a gold medalist from the 2016 Olympics, who expressed her excitement about participating in this historic swim. “The fact they were able to clean up the river and host such an event is incredible,” she said, underscoring the significance of this moment for the city and its residents.
