As summer draws crowds to the water’s edge, Montgomery County Police are once again urging residents to keep out of the Potomac River, more so around Great Falls.
Officials note that people consistently underestimate how powerful the river is, “every year, people underestimate the power of the Potomac River at Great Falls. This summer alone we have responded to drowning incidents,” said the MCPD X account.
Every year, people underestimate the power of the Potomac River at Great Falls. This summer alone, we've responded to multiple drowning incidents.
Montgomery County Police, Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service, Maryland Natural Resources Police, and the U.S. Park Police are… pic.twitter.com/Q94H20TXHi
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) August 12, 2026
The warning isn’t coming from MCPD alone. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, Maryland Natural Resources Police, and the U.S. Park Police have all joined together to press the same message: what looks like a calm, scenic river is anything but safe beneath the surface.
“4 young people drowned this summer,” Said Pete Piringer, Public Information Officer for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service on his X account.
NOTICE: 4 young people DROWNED this summer. Every weekend @mcfrs Community Engagement, Safety Awareness Outreach & Risk Reduction efforts IAO Great Falls & associated areas @COcanalNPS – such as biking & hiking safety (& hydration), water safety incl NO SWIMMING (Potomac River) https://t.co/nxrKzMMqkZ pic.twitter.com/fMkQZ9xRUX
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 12, 2026
The danger lies in what’s invisible from the shore. Even when the water looks peaceful, the Potomac is dangerous, choppy, and unpredictable. That kind of sudden drop-off has caught swimmers off guard, turning a casual dip into a life-threatening situation within seconds.
Rescue officials have also pointed out that swimming is not permitted anywhere along the river, and even wading in the shallows is off-limits. The only ways to be on the water are from a boat or by staying close to shore on a paddleboard. Warning signs posted in multiple languages line the riverbanks to make sure the message reaches everyone.
Anyone who sees someone in distress in the river is urged to call 911 immediately rather than attempting a rescue themselves.
