Chicago River Swim Canceled Over Water Quality, Lightning

The 2025 Chicago River Swim was canceled on Sunday morning due to weather-related safety concerns. The event, scheduled for a 6:30 a.m. Start, was called off after water testing indicated a potential combined sewer overflow and a risk of lightning.

Organizers made the difficult decision based on overnight water quality data. Chicago River Swim Founder Doug McConnell stated the cancellation was due to "weather-related safety concerns, including the potential for a combined sewer overflow (CSO) that could affect water quality as well as the risk of lightning." He confirmed the lightning threat coincided with the time swimmers would have been in the water.

Event Details and Charitable Impact

This was set to be the second edition of the swim, which revived organized open-water swimming in the Chicago River in 2024 for the first time in nearly a century. The charity swim supports ALS research and provides swim lessons for children in underserved communities.

Despite the cancellation, the organization will honor its financial commitments. It will donate $100,000 to Northwestern University for ALS research and $62,500 to the USA Swimming Foundation. The latter funds swim lessons through the Chicago Park District.

Swimmer and Organizer Reactions

Participants expressed mixed emotions. "Disappointed and relieved at the same time," said open water swimmer Sheri Berliner. Another swimmer, Rose Baldwin, who participated in the inaugural 2024 event, looked ahead, saying, Our third time is going to be the charm.

Founder Doug McConnell acknowledged the letdown for athletes. We know how much training, preparation, and heart our swimmers put into this event, and we share their disappointment, he said. He thanked the City of Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson for their support and confirmed the event's return is now scheduled for September 19, 2027.

Broader Weather Disruptions

The swim was one of several Chicago-area events affected by severe weather and flooding warnings. Aurora's Mexican Independence Day Parade was canceled due to saturated ground and flood risks. The Riot Fest music festival in Douglass Park had its schedule disrupted, opening three hours late on Sunday. A Chicago Bears NFL game at Soldier Field proceeded as planned at noon despite the rain.

The event's history has been challenging since its inception. Organizers cited similar last-minute testing issues in the past. Swimmers gathered at the Chicago Brewhouse along the Riverwalk following the announcement, awaiting the event's future return.