A partnership between Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary and the Potomac Riverkeeper Network has developed a community science monitoring program at Mallows Bay focused on bacteria levels. All visitors who come in contact with the water should be aware of bacterial levels and the potential for health concerns. From May to September, volunteers take weekly water quality samples at three locations in the sanctuary—at the Mallows Bay Park boat launch, Grady’s Spit, and Liverpool Point. Potomac Riverkeeper then processes the water quality samples aboard their floating laboratory, Sea Dog. The monitoring results are posted to Swim Guide and help fill gaps in Potomac Riverkeeper's existing network along the river and contribute to a larger data set for more than 7,000 beaches and waterways.
To learn more about this program or to sign up as a volunteer, please visit the Potomac Riverkeeper website.