Water Safety 

There are inherent risks associated with water recreation and sports. Follow posted warnings, wear a life jacket and take the following precautions to enjoy these water activities safely. 

• Waterfalls
• Swimming
• Boating
• Canoeing, Kayaking, & Stand-Up Paddleboarding 
• Water-Borne Disease Prevention

Waterfalls

Waterfalls are popular places to enjoy natural scenery and picnic. While beautiful to see, they pose risks to unprepared visitors. Slippery rocks, steep slopes, and undercurrents near waterfalls can catch you by surprise. 

Graphic courtesy of NC Division of Parks and Recreation

Safety Checklist 

• Notice and follow posted warning signs and stay out of restricted areas. These signs and barriers are there to keep you safe!
• Stay on the designated trail. Do not climb on rocks, or along the sides or tops of waterfalls. 
• Stay back from the edge. Waterfalls are best viewed from a distance to avoid injury. 
• Wear stable shoes and watch your footing. Avoid slick and wet rocks.
• Do not swim or wade upstream from a waterfall, even if the water seems shallow and calm. Currents close to the waterfall could pull swimmers over the edge. 
• Do not swim in or dive into waterfall pools. 
• Never jump off waterfalls. There may be underwater hazards, like logs or rocks, below the surface. 

 

Swimming

Though a fun way to cool off, be cautious when swimming. There are no lifeguards on duty at the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests’ designated swimming beaches. Visitors are responsible for making sure they enjoy water activities safely. 

Safety Checklist 

• Learn to swim. 
• Designate a responsible adult to supervise children. 
• Don’t swim alone. It is always safer to swim with a buddy. 
• Learn CPR. 
• Look before you leap. Always check water conditions and depth before jumping or swimming. Underwater conditions can change quickly, putting hazards like tree branches or rocks in your path that were not there before. 
• Beware diving into any natural body of water. It is never safe to jump from rock cliffs, ledges, and man-made structures. 
• Swim at designated swimming beaches. Though there is no lifeguard on duty, each has a life-saving ring and frequently tested water quality. 
• Do not recreate in boat ramps/launches. Swim and play in designated swim beaches.

Learn about opportunities for swimming on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests swimming recreation page. 

Boating

Boating is a popular activity at the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. To do so safely, wear life jackets, know how to swim, do not drink alcoholic beverages and dress appropriately for weather conditions. Do not recreate (swim, snorkel, scuba, or play in the water around boat ramps.

For boating safety resources and regulations specific to Virginia, visit the VA Department of Wildlife Resources website. 

Additional boating safety tips can be found on Safe Boating Campaign website. For more information on life jackets, visit the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating website.

Canoeing, Kayaking & Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) are fun, often peaceful recreational activities. However, safety is important on both calm, peaceful water and whitewater streams. Use the following resources to enjoy these activities while keeping yourself and others safe:

Safety Checklist

• Wear a life jacket at all times. Gentle stretches of water can have strong undercurrents; even good swimmers should wear one.
• Scout rapids and make plans for possible rescues. Be aware that on some sections of river land access may be difficult and help is far away. Wearing a helmet can save your life if your flipped or knocked out of your boat.
• Learn basic water rescue techniques and first aid. Learn to recognize the symptoms and treatments for hypothermia. 
• Know your limits. Do not attempt to navigate a section of river beyond your skill level. 
• Always bring along extra clothing and a first-aid kit in a waterproof container. Store all extra gear in a secure, watertight container.
• If your canoe or kayak tips over in whitewater, float on your back with feet together and pointed downstream. Let the current take you to shore or to calm water. If you are carried over a ledge or a drop-off, tuck yourself into a ball. 
• If your canoe or kayak tips over in calm water, paddle or push your canoe to shore until you reach shallow water. You can flip the canoe or kayak over to empty it and get back in it. A canoe or kayak will float even if it’s full of water, so you may be able to paddle it to shore to empty it. 

Water-Borne Disease Prevention

Streams and lakes can contain harmful germs, like Cryptosporidium and Giardia, and may not be monitored for water quality for swimming. Swimming or playing in streams or lakes or drinking untreated water can put you at risk for waterborne illness or infection. Follow these safety guidelines to avoid water-borne diseases. 

Safety Checklist 

• Treat all water taken from natural sources like springs, streams, or lakes. Boil water for 1 minute or use chemical disinfectants (such as iodine or chlorine) to destroy viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Use a water filter to remove parasites.
• Protect lakes and streams from contamination. Take bathroom breaks and bury any human waste 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from bodies of water, and downstream from water collection sites. 
• Avoid recreating in discolored or cloudy water, water that smells bad, or with pipes draining in or around it. These are potential warnings that there are more disease-causing germs in the water than usual. 
• Stay out the water if you have open cuts or wounds. 
• Avoid swallowing sand or untreated water while recreating. 
• Wash your hands after recreating in natural bodies of water before handling food. 

For more information and resources on water purification and other precautions against water-borne diseases, visit the CDC’s webpage on Drinking Water. 

For additional resources on healthy water recreation in natural bodies of water, visit the CDC website.