Choptank Riverkeeper

09/03/2026

Today’s the last day our SwimTesters are out collecting bacteria samples for the season - join me in giving them a big Thank You! 🙏 🙌👏 You can help us improve and grow the Swimmable ShoreRivers bacteria monitoring program by taking 3.5 minutes of your time and telling us what you think and how you use the information we share. Click here for a brief survey 👉 https://forms.gle/dgxFrZCTy1iVCxe26

08/28/2026

CHOPTANK RIVER BACTERIA REPORT – 8/27/26: This week, 6 of 16 monitoring sites passed Maryland’s recreational water quality standard for Enterococci bacteria.

The highest failing result was at Kingston Landing (4,884 CFU), followed by Red Bridges (238), Hambrooks Bay Beach (228) and Hillsboro Landing (226). Most other failing sites were more moderate, between 109 and 185 CFU.

Six sites passed, including Oxford – The Strand Beach (

08/28/2026

Did you know we have a monthly newsletter? For the latest on water quality, wildlife, restoration, advocacy, and everything we’re doing to protect this incredible resource subscribe to my monthly Choptank Riverkeeper newsletter. Sign up today! 👉 shorerivers.org/subscribe

08/24/2026

Our Swimmable ShoreRivers program made it to the big leagues - read more about our certification and the results of this year’s Bacteria Blitz

ShoreRivers is proud to announce that our Swimmable ShoreRivers bacteria monitoring program is now officially recognized with Tier III approval by the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative (CMC) and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). This approval follows the successful completion of bo

08/24/2026

We were down at Ragged Point fishing this weekend and you could see the construction of James Island across the way. Jeremey from the Chesapeake Bay Journal just put out a good piece on the history and future of James Island that you can read here: https://www.bayjournal.com/news/growth_conservation/a-new-beginning-construction-underway-at-maryland-s-james-island/article_1759825c-a106-40a0-b47b-fd875a421a87.html

08/21/2026

CHOPTANK RIVER BACTERIA REPORT – 8/20/26: The Choptank is looking much better this week with 10 of 16 monitoring sites passing Maryland’s recreational water quality standard for Enterococci bacteria.

IMPORTANT for this weekend: These samples were collected before Thursday night’s rain. Cambridge received more than 1.5", triggering sanitary sewer overflows along the river. Ridgely received about 1", Easton just under ¾", and the Bay Hundred around Sherwood about ⅓". That means these passing results do not reflect conditions after the storm in areas that received a lot of rain, because we know that significant rain can wash bacteria into the river.

If you're planning to swim, wait 24–48 hours after significant, runoff-producing rain. When rain comes after our samples are collected, following the Safe Swimming Tips is even more important.

🗺️ Check the latest results and our interactive MAP at ShoreRivers.org/swim

⚠️ SAFE SWIMMING REMINDERS
• Avoid swimming 24–48 hours after significant rain
• Don't swim with open cuts or wounds
• Rinse off after swimming
• Watch for algal blooms, rough water & other hazards
• Results above 104 CFU/100mL are considered failing
• Not all monitoring locations are designated swimming beaches. Follow posted rules and use caution when entering the water.

Huge thanks to our volunteer SwimTesters and site sponsors for making this program possible!

08/21/2026

🌧️ Rain Check: how much rain did you get with last night’s storm?

If you’re into local weather and rainfall, checkout UMD’s mesonet (https://mesonet.umd.edu/) stations to see what’s happening in realtime in your area of the watershed. According to their data, Cambridge got the most with 1.5”, Easton about 0.65”, Tilghman Island-area = 0.35”, and Ridgely with just under 1”. Stay tuned for bacteria results posted later this afternoon, and remember the Safe Swimming Tip that if it rains significantly in your area, wait 24-48 hours before swimming.

08/18/2026

Two days left to secure your cabin raffle tickets in support of ShoreRivers! Only 300 tickets are being sold for a chance for you and your closest 16 friends and family members to enjoy the mountains - in style! The cabin is conveniently located next to the trailhead for Old Rag, and if you haven’t heard me talk about why you should hike Old Rag just reach out and let me get started! Purchase raffle tickets here until Thursday: shorerivers.org/raffle

08/16/2026

Best part about a summer: chasing sunsets, blue crabs and low tides!

08/14/2026

CHOPTANK RIVER BACTERIA REPORT – 8/13/26: This week, only 4 of 16 monitoring sites passed Maryland's recreational water quality standard for Enterococci bacteria. Visit ShoreRivers.org/swim to explore our interactive map, find the monitoring site closest to where you'll be recreating, and check the latest results.

The highest bacteria levels this week were recorded at Easton Point Park (17,329 CFU), Kingston Landing (1,201 CFU), and Sailwinds Park Beach (1,169 CFU). There were still some bright spots: Denton – Crouse Park (63 CFU), Trappe Landing (74 CFU), Oxford – The Strand Beach (52 CFU), and Bill Burton Beach (20 CFU) all posted passing results.

📍 Weekly updates are available at:
• Shorerivers.org/swim
• The app
• All ShoreRivers + Riverkeeper social media channels ( )

⚠️ SAFE SWIMMING REMINDERS ⚠️
• Avoid swimming for 24–48 hours after heavy rain.
• Do not swim with open cuts or wounds.
• Rinse off after swimming.
• Watch for algal blooms, rough water, and other hazards.
• Results above 104 CFU/100mL are considered failing under Maryland's recreational water quality guidance.

👉 Reminder: Not all monitoring locations are designated swimming beaches. Please follow posted rules and use caution when entering the water.

A huge thank you to our volunteer SwimTesters and site sponsors for making this community science program possible each week!