I've almost been hit by other boats in an actual boat I would not trust these old inattentive fucks to see a swimmer trying to cross a river that is mainly 1/4mile wide, not to mention the current.

If you want to swim in the river there are little "beaches" here and there scattered about that are pretty safe and clean. The river has postings on water quality. Hamburg cove is very popular for swimming.

Don't go in in the river for a week after heavy rain though it gets littered with logs and junk.