Join us a
t 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.
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)
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
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
“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
“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
Measurable rain events have been occurring in the southern region of the Shenandoah River watershed, which includes the North River, South River, and Middle River that are the headwaters of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. One of the effects of these storms has been elevated E. coli levels in the South Fork and Main-stem of the Shenandoah.
These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Tuesday, August 25, 2020.
FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 08.25.2020
River height and E. coli concentrations at site FWIH, South Fork of the Shenandoah River at the Bentonville public boat ramp off Indian Hollow Road
The effect of the rains from the southern region of the watershed is traveling downstream. Yesterday, the South Fork and Main-stem of the Shenandoah River was still running high and muddy/discolored. The E. coli levels at all five of the sites tested on the South Fork and the five sites tested on the Main-stem, including Manassas Run, exceeded the previous instantaneous Virginia water quality standard threshold of 235 E. Coli CFUs per 100ml of sample for primary recreational contact.
FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 08.18.2020
These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Wednesday, August 12, 2020.
FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 08.12.2020
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:
The effect of the heavy rains that occurred in Augusta and Rockingham counties last week can still be seen in the South Fork in Luray and Warren Counties and the Main-stem of the Shenandoah River in Clarke County and beyond.
