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— CBS NEWS

HOW AMERICAN CITIES ARE RETHINKING THEIR URBAN RIVERS

Click the image to view the CBS News story on national urban waterway reclamation, including coverage of the 2024 Chicago River Swim (aired 10/21/24).

— LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE

2025 EVENT DETAILS

A general application window will open this winter. Exact dates will be unveiled soon.

— 100 YEARS AGO 

RIVER SWIMS WERE THE BEES KNEES  


The Chicago River's flow was reversed nearly 125 years ago to draw fresh water from Lake Michigan and clean a polluted river.

To celebrate the waterway's drastic turnaround, the Illinois Athletic Association began hosting a series of open water swims back in 1908.

The river swims attracted the highest-profile swimmers in the world, and more than 100,000 spectators lined the shore. The Chicago River Swims were a jewel in the crown of our young, vibrant city.

River Swim History

Founding Partners

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