Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

FOSR’s Summer E. coli Test Results for Tuesday, August 15, 2023

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected on, Tuesday, August 15, 2023. None of the sites tested exceeded the criteria utilized by FOSR of 235 CFU/100 ml. Prior to October 2019, Virginia’s water quality standard for freshwater beach advisories or closures was a single sample maximum of 235 E. coli CFU/100 ml of sample. Virginia no longer has a single, instantaneous, sample maximum or any criteria for primary recreational contact in freshwaters.

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FOSR-2023-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-08.15.2023.pdf

FOSR’s Summer E. coli Test Results for Tuesday, August 08, 2023

August 08, 2023, FSDR North Fork Shenandoah River at Deer Rapids public boat launch, Shenandoah County VA.

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected on, Tuesday, August 8, after the rain that came through in some areas on Monday. Two out of 13 of the sites tested exceeded the criteria utilized by FOSR of 235 CFU/100 ml. Prior to October 2019, Virginia’s water quality standard for freshwater beach advisories or closures was a single sample maximum of 235 E. coli CFU/100 ml of sample. Virginia no longer has a single, instantaneous, sample maximum or any criteria for primary recreational contact in freshwaters.

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FOSR-2023-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-08.08.2023.pdf

FOSR’s Summer E. coli Test Results for Wednesday, July 26, 2023

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, July 26, for FOSR’s Summer E. coli testing program at sites located on the NF, SF, and Main-stem of the Shenandoah River. 1 out of 13 of the sites tested exceeded the criteria utilized by FOSR of 235 CFU/100 ml. Prior to October 2019, Virginia’s water quality standard for freshwater beach advisories or closures was a single sample maximum of 235 E. coli CFU/100 ml of sample. Virginia no longer has a single, instantaneous, sample maximum or any criteria for primary recreational contact in freshwaters.

Passage Creek E. coli Results in Elizabeth Furnace Day Use Area

Yesterday, Thursday September 15, I collected water samples to measure the E.coli levels in segment of Passage Creek that flows through the Elizabeth Furnace Day Use Recreational area. This was in preparation for the US Forest Service and @ShenandoahRiverkeeper RioPalooza event being held tomorrow, Saturday Sept. 17.

 
As a reference point, the FOSR uses the Virginia water-quality standard prior to October 2019 which was a single sample threshold of 235 E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL of water sample for primary recreational use. Meaning that if a single freshwater grab sample had E. coli levels that exceed 235 CFU per 100mL of water sample then the water was considered unsafe for primary recreational use.

Join Us at Sage Bird Ciderworks on June 17, 4 – 11 PM

Join us at Sage Bird Ciderworks in Harrisonburg, VA on Friday, June 17th from 4-11 pm! We will provide FOSR-sponsored activities for families from 4-7 pm. There will also be a fundraiser and FOSR giveaways, with a portion of sales donated to the FOSR. The event is celebrating the launch of the “Butts Up!” cider by @sagebirdciderworks, which is named after a call of friendship on the river.

 

Confluence Conundrum

This image depicts what can occur when a tributary carrying elevated E. coli levels flows into a larger body of water.  In this example on May 25, 2022, the E. coli level measured in Manassas Run was 1553.1.  Downstream of the confluence with the Shenandoah River, the E. coli levels remained elevated, 648.8, along the bank.  During the same sample collection visit the E. coli levels measured in the middle of the River was 23.1.

(E. coli results reported as MPN colony forming units per 100mL of water samples)

FOSR’s 2020 Summer E. coli Results through 09.24.2020

Sorry about not posting the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected last week on Thursday, September 17,  in a timely manner.   We had technology difficulty which required the purchase of a new computer.  This pdf file contains the E. coli concentration results for the water samples collected on Thursday, September 17, and yesterday, Thursday, September 24.  Contact recreational use of the river is quieting down as the water temperatures are dropping and the sunsets are earlier.

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 09.24.2020

 

Raging waters of the Opequon Creek

On Thursday, September 10, 2020, the Opequon Creek was raging carrying with it tree trunks, branches, garbage, silt, sediment, and high levels of bacteria 💩..  (>2419.6 MPN CFUs E. coli bacteria per 100 mL of water sample.)  The Opequon Creek was halfway up the access road to the water-quality monitoring site.

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 09.10.2020

FOSR’s 2020 Summer E. coli Results through 09.10.2020

“IF IT’S BROWN TURN AROUND”.

Depending on where you were in the Shenandoah River watershed yesterday, Thursday, September 10, 2020, the E. coli levels varied greatly.  The two pictures below illustrate the contrasting differences in    E. coli concentrations at different sites.

Previously in Virginia, if a single freshwater grab sample contained E. coli bacteria levels that exceeded 235 CFUs then the water would have been considered unsafe for primary recreational contact. Under the current Virginia Code for both the State Water Control Board and VA Dept. of Health, there is no longer any agency responsible to inform the public of potential exposure to elevated E. coli levels in the freshwater streams and rivers in Virginia!  These are the E. coli results for the water samples collected yesterday, Wednesday, September 02, 2020.

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 09.10.2020

FOSR’s 2020 Summer E. coli Results through 09.02.2020

“IF IT’S BROWN TURN AROUND”.

Yesterday, Wednesday, September 02, 2020, the South Fork of the Shenandoah River was transporting silt, sediment, debris, garbage, logs, and high levels of bacteria.  After the North Fork and South Fork combined making the Main-stem of the Shenandoah River, the lower bacteria levels and less turbid waters in the North Fork helped to dilute the bacteria levels coming from the South Fork.

Previously in Virginia, if a single freshwater grab sample contained E. coli bacteria levels that exceeded 235 CFUs then the water would have been considered unsafe for primary recreational contact. Under the current Virginia Code for both the State Water Control Board and VA Dept. of Health, there is no longer any agency responsible to inform the public of potential exposure to elevated E. coli levels in the freshwater streams and rivers in Virginia!  These are the E. coli results for the water samples collected yesterday, Wednesday, September 02, 2020.

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 09.02.2020

                                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Copyright © 2013 Friends of the Shenandoah River