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On The Water - Safe Boating, Fishing & Swimming
For many New Englanders, boating, swimming and fishing is the essence of summer. Keep in mind that all of these activities require clean and safe water -- and that each and every person out on the water has a role in keeping these waters clean.
This web site provides information on a host of water-related topics, including: 1) up-to-date info on your favorite beaches, rivers and watersheds; 2) where it is safe to swim or eat freshly caught fish; and 3) how boaters and marina users can help keep our waterways clean.
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Beaches, Coasts, Estuaries, Rivers, Watersheds and Oceans
Fresh or saltwater, we’ve got some great information on your water body of choice. The four links below offer information on beaches and coasts, rivers and watersheds, estuaries, and oceans.
- Beaches
- New England Rivers & Watersheds
- Estuaries
- Oceans & Coasts
- Beach Monitoring Program Links
- Marine Debris
- Healthy Watersheds
Fishing and Swimming
Should I be swimming in this water?
Recreational waters at ponds, lakes and coastal beaches are sometimes
polluted by various sources. Before you drive in for a swim, be
sure you know what you are getting into. Visit the New
England Beaches - It's a Shore Thing page for state by state
links to water quality and beach closures plus information on our
efforts to help keep New England’s beaches clean and safe.
Can I eat the fish I just caught?
Edible fish and shellfish species in New England waters can be tainted
with a variety of contaminants that may make those who eat them
sick. To protect the public state and local health and fishery authorities
monitor a variety of popular species and publish health advisories.
For more information visit the fish
consumption advisories page.
Boats & Marinas
Below is information on the many successful clean boating and clean marina programs that are underway in New England. Whether you are a boater, marina owner, boat manufacturer or boat dealer, EPA New England's Marina page has useful information on how you can become a good "steward" for our nation's water resources.
National Clean
Boating Campaign 
Did you know that gasoline and oil entering our waterways is a major problem because most outboard motors use inefficient two-stroke engines, which release up to 20 to 30 percent of their gas/oil mixture unburned directly into the water? To learn about today's new marine engines visit our Clean Marine Engine Initiative.
For information on Boat Safety Defect Recalls visit the federal
government's Recalls
Site.
Boat Pressure Wash Water Control Technology Virtual Trade Show
Technologies to help marinas control the impact of wastewater from the pressure washing of boats.
No Discharge Areas
A "No Discharge Area" is a designated body of water that prohibits the discharge of treated and untreated boat sewage. For more information please visit our New England No Discharge page.
Dredging
The dredging of harbors and channels is conducted in order to facilitate ship traffic on US waters. For more information on dredging, and dredged material management, go to the Dredging page.
Invasive Species
The term "invasive species" refers to any plant or animal that enters an ecosystem beyond its historic range. Some invasive species can displace indigenous ones causing significant changes to an ecosystem. Invasive species can enter a new ecosystem by hopping a ride on the hull of a boat. For more information visit our Invasive Species page.