Is it safe to swim in canals?

Question

like theres no glass or anything and its pretty deserted, but theres water. is the water okay?

Answer 1

Many canals are dangerous for the simple facts that many of them have eddies in them.  If you swim near an eddie, it will suck you in.  The Cape Cod Canal is the worst.  Many canoers have lost their lives trying to cross that canal in a small boat.  Just be careful and know the area you will go in.  Do some research on the canal.  No all eddies are easy to see.  Be careful.

Answer 2

What kind of land does the canal run through?  If it is agricultural, you will have pesticide runoff in the canal.  if it pasturage, you will have animal fecal matter in the canal.  If it is in a populated or industrial area, it is probably polluted.  Same problem if any of these is upstream from your swimming spot.