Montgomery County, Maryland, officials are weighing stronger enforcement against swimming in the Potomac River following a pair of drownings.
“We’ve had conversations about what we can do with additional signage or enforcement. Obviously, it’s tricky because the Potomac River is quite long and people can enter at various stages, but we have had a discussion about what we can do to try and address this issue in concert with U.S. Park Police,” Montgomery County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard said in a media briefing Wednesday.
The county has jurisdiction over parts of the river, while the National Park Service oversees others, including Great Falls Park in Virginia.
Great Falls Park officials say on the park’s website that swimming is banned and that violators can be punished with “a $200 or more fine and appearance in federal court or even formal arrest.” In Montgomery County, signs stating that swimming is banned are posted along popular hiking trails on the river.
The consideration of stricter enforcement comes after two young men drowned recently while swimming in the Potomac.
A 16-year-old boy, unnamed by authorities, disappeared in the river on the morning of July 2. His body was recovered on July 3, the Montgomery County Police Department said.
Police spokesperson Degan Bartels confirmed to Bethesda Today that the boy drowned. He had entered the river near Great Falls, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service public information officer David Pazos said.
Towson University student Nazir Bell, 20, vanished while swimming in the river near the C&O Canal National Historic Park on June 13, with his body recovered on June 16, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service public information officer Pete Piringer said.
Officials note that although the river looks placid, it has invisible currents and whirlpools that can drag people underwater or trap them under rocks.
About 72% of all river incidents involve people who waded in or slipped off rocks, and 51% of all injuries sustained in the Potomac River Gorge are fatal, park officials said.
Although signs are posted along the Potomac’s length to inform people that swimming is illegal, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Chief Dan Ogren told Bethesda Today that many people tell the service’s crews that they didn’t know it was forbidden.
