Is Fishing Creek Reservoir safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, Fishing Creek Reservoir in Lancaster County, South Carolina is not recommended for swimming. Satellite imagery measured 274,931 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Rainfall over the past week totaled 0.0 in, which can wash bacteria and nutrients into the water.

How this read is built

Fishing Creek Reservoir is a reservoir in Lancaster County, South Carolina covering about 3.4 sq mi, the 10th-largest of the 16 lakes SwimZone monitors in South Carolina. Satellite imagery measured 274,931 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold.

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms are most common from midsummer into early fall, when the water is warm, calm, and rich in nutrients from runoff. They can produce toxins that make people sick and can be rapidly fatal to dogs, so skip water that looks green, scummy, or like spilled paint, and keep children and pets out of it.

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Fishing Creek Reservoir has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 3 of them, most recently in June 2026. Its highest recorded reading was 807,947 cells/mL in June 2026.

Is it safe to swim in Fishing Creek Reservoir right now?

Fishing Creek Reservoir is not recommended for swimming today. Satellite imagery measured 274,931 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Conditions can change quickly with wind, heat, and rain, so check the posted signs and look at the water before you get in.

Does Fishing Creek Reservoir have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

Yes. Satellite monitoring measured 274,931 cells/mL of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at Fishing Creek Reservoir on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory level. Avoid swimming and keep children and pets out of the water.

Can dogs swim in Fishing Creek Reservoir?

No. Blue-green algae at Fishing Creek Reservoir is above the safe-contact threshold (274,931 cells/mL on July 19, 2026). Cyanobacteria toxins can be rapidly fatal to dogs, which swallow it while swimming and lick it from their fur. Keep dogs out of the water and away from any scum along the shore.

How often does Fishing Creek Reservoir have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Fishing Creek Reservoir has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 3 of them, most recently in June 2026. Its highest recorded reading was 807,947 cells/mL in June 2026.

How many South Carolina lakes and beaches are unsafe for swimming today?

Today, 1 South Carolina water is above a safe-contact threshold and 7 more warrant caution, out of 36 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.

How is Fishing Creek Reservoir's water quality measured?

SwimZone builds this read from EPA CyAN satellite imagery for blue-green algae, official beach and fecal-bacteria advisories where a program monitors Fishing Creek Reservoir, and a recent-rainfall overlay, all refreshed daily. It was last updated July 20, 2026.