For the third week in a row, a water sample was not collected at site FW35, Shenandoah River along the bank of the public boat launch at Morgans Ford low water bridge, because the decreased water level has caused the bank to migrate out towards mid-river.
These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Thursday, July 30, 2020.
FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.30.2020
At the following sites the E. Coli level exceeded the previous instantaneous Virginia water quality standard threshold of 235 E. Coli CFUs per 100ml of sample for primary recreational contact:
South Fork of the Shenandoah River @ Newport Public Boat Ramp
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These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Thursday, July 23, 2020.
FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.23.2020
Three of the sites located in Clarke County had elevated E. coli levels at the time the water samples were collected yesterday. Site FC08, Shenandoah River at Castlemans Ferry/ Route 7 public boat launch, while the E. coli levels measured 172.2, this did not exceed the previous VA water quality standard. At the following sites the E. Coli level exceeded the previous instantaneous Virginia water quality standard threshold of 235 E. Coli CFUs per 100ml of sample for primary recreational contact:
In a freshwater system, these data represent a snapshot of the water quality on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water sample was collected. Areas in the region had measurable rainfall over the last 24-hours. The following are recommendations from the Virginia Department of Health to consider before recreating in freshwater rivers and streams.
Most of the river public access sites for the launching of watercraft and fishing are either owned or co-managed by VA DWR (Formally VA DGIF). Because of some people’s lack of respect for these areas, VA DWR is now cracking down on misuse of these sites. When collecting the water samples for the FOSR’s summer E. coli testing program yesterday I saw new signage and even the use of a large Solar Traffic Message Board at Castlemans Ferry/ Route 7 public access site in Clarke County alerting visitors to the regulated designated usage of these sites.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has changed its name to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. VA “DGIF has been renamed the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Our new name reflects the wide range of wildlife conservation responsibilities and opportunities that our agency has, from hunting and fishing to wildlife watching, public lands, boating, and outdoor recreation.”
These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Wednesday, July 15, 2020.
FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.15.2020
Overall the sites located on the river had low E. coli levels. At the following site the E. Coli level exceeded the previous instantaneous Virginia water quality standard threshold of 235 E. Coli CFUs per 100ml of sample for primary recreational contact:
In a freshwater system, these data represent a snapshot of the water quality on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water sample was collected.
I have been asked if the fish in the North Fork, South Fork, and Main-stem of the Shenandoah River are safe to eat. To answer this question here is the link to the VA Dept Health Fish advisories
This is the link to the VA Dept of Health website page with information about fish consumption advisories:
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/public-health-toxicology/fish-consumption-advisory/
The Shenandoah River brings out the impromptu artist in some of us.
