Reston's lakes are for paddling, not swimming - here's why

by Caroline Ayres, Staff Writer

Photo by Sergio Arteaga on Unsplash

As the weather begins to warm up, Restonians are shaking off winter and preparing to unpack their spring wardrobes, kayaks, paddleboards, and every other piece of warm-weather gear. But as tempting as it may be, you might want to leave your swimsuits packed away—at least when it comes to the lakes.

It’s no secret that swimming in Reston’s lakes isn’t encouraged (even though some folks still take the plunge). But once you understand why the Reston Association urges residents to stay out of the water, you might reconsider.

All of Reston’s lakes are man-made—not just for scenic beauty and recreation, but also to protect the surrounding environment. Every one of our lakes serves an important function as a stormwater reservoir. That means water from roads, lawns, parks, and rooftops flows into these lakes, helping prevent flooding and maintaining natural habitats for local wildlife.

But here's the catch: that same runoff brings along some unpleasant baggage, like road salt, lawn fertilizers, motor oil, and other pollutants. On top of that, the lakes frequently experience algae blooms in the summer, which can release toxins that are harmful to humans and pets.

There’s also the matter of safety. Some parts of Reston’s lakes are over 20 feet deep, which is more than twice the depth of the deep end in any of our local pools. And unlike at the pools, there are no lifeguards standing by.

None of this means the lakes are dangerous to touch. Falling in occasionally or participating in one of Reston’s organized lake swim events, which involve water testing beforehand to ensure safety, is unlikely to cause any harm. However, making a habit of swimming in the lakes is probably not the best idea, especially given the number of top-quality (and clean!) pools available throughout Reston.