NavigateAboutEventsRiver ScheduleSafetyMembershipNewsPartnersMoreContact UsFile a Safety ReportSubscribe to Calendar
Home / Safety

Safety & Rules of the River

Keeping every rower safe on the Schuylkill River.

See Something? Say Something.

If you observe an unsafe situation on the Schuylkill River — a capsized crew, a reckless operator, a hazard in the water — report it immediately.

File a Safety ReportMarine Police: 215-685-1766

Emergency: Call 911 first for any life-threatening emergency. For river-specific incidents, also contact Philadelphia Marine Police at 215-685-1766.

Live River Conditions

Monitor current river flow before every row. When flow exceeds 18,000 CFS, rowing is prohibited. When flow exceeds 8,000 CFS, novice rowers should stay ashore.

Check USGS Flow Data →
Rules of the River

Safety Standards

All rowers and clubs on the Schuylkill River are expected to follow these standards.

Flow Thresholds

  • Rowing is prohibited when USGS flow exceeds 18,000 cubic feet per second (CFS).
  • Novice rowers should avoid conditions above 8,000 CFS.
  • Individual clubs should establish their own local thresholds based on rower experience.

Rower Requirements

  • All rowers must know how to swim.
  • Youth rowers must have supervision at all times.
  • Novice crews require launch accompaniment.
  • High school rowers should follow USRowing Safety Expectations Policy.
  • Coaches should be trained in first aid and know swimmers' abilities.

Equipment Standards

  • All shells must have bow balls and stern lights for low-visibility rowing.
  • Safety launches require 9+ Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
  • Motorboats are limited to 25 HP maximum.
  • Equipment must include sound devices, flares, anchors, paddles, and throw lines.

Behavioral Rules

  • No racing or high-stroke-rate rowing near bridges or Boathouse Row.
  • No swimming off docks.
  • Never abandon your flotation device to swim to shore.
  • Always yield to faster or downstream traffic.
Emergency Reference

Boathouse 911 Addresses

Physical addresses to provide to emergency dispatchers for all boathouses along Kelly Drive and the Schuylkill River.

Facility911 Address
Lloyd Hall810 Kelly Dr
Sedgeley Club816 Kelly Dr
Fairmount Rowing Association820 Kelly Dr
College Boat Club824 Kelly Dr
University Barge Club828 Kelly Dr
Penn Athletic Club834 Kelly Dr
Malta Boat Club838 Kelly Dr
Undine Barge Club842 Kelly Dr
Bachelors Barge Club848 Kelly Dr
Crescent Boat Club852 Kelly Dr
Pennsylvania Barge Club858 Kelly Dr
Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club864 Kelly Dr
Vesper Boat Club882 Kelly Dr
Gillin Boat Club888 Kelly Dr
Steward Brand Building898 Kelly Dr
Plaisted Hall910 Kelly Dr
Center for Adaptive Rowing1233 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Philadelphia City Rowing1400 Kelly Dr
Temple University Boathouse2400 Kelly Dr

Philadelphia Marine Police: 215-685-1766 — use this number for river-specific emergencies. Always call 911 first.

Report a Hazard

See Something? Say Something.

Use the Schuylkill Navy safety reporting system to flag unsafe conditions, incidents, or rule violations on the river.

File a Safety Report