For several weeks now garbage has been piling up at the Lockes Landing public access area off Rt. 621 in Clarke County. This past Wednesday when I was there to collect a water sample I ran into three young gentlemen from Watermelon Park. They had just finished filling a frontend loader with all of the garbage that had been pilling up at the ramp. They were very concerned about the degradation of the site and the potential human health and safety risks. We thank you and the river thank you! Everyone do your part; take your trash with you!

As everyone is gearing up for the 4th of July, these are the E. coli levels of the water sample that were collected yesterday, Wednesday, July 1.   If the conditions remain relatively the same as when these water samples were collected, these results may provide a baseline.

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.01.2020

The following are some examples that could cause elevated E. coli levels:

• Tributaries (E.g. Manassas Run on Wednesday, July 1 E. coli levels measured 259.5 MPN CFU per 100 mL of water sample) and at the confluences where these streams flow into the river.
• Areas were cows and other livestock are in the water or on the banks
• Rain: localized and widespread
• Point sources that discharge into the stream or river

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Thursday, June 18, 2020.

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 06.18.2020

Several of the sites had elevated E. coli levels. At the following sites the E. Coli levels exceeded the previous instantaneous Virginia water quality standard threshold of 235 E. Coli CFUs per 100ml of sample for primary recreational contact:

• 461.1 MPN E. coli – Shenandoah River at the Route 7 public boat launch in Clarke County VA
• 1203.3 MPN E. coli – Shenandoah River at Morgan Ford low water bridge along the bank of the public boat landing in Warren County
• 1732.9 MPN E. coli – Manassas Run upstream of the confluence with the Shenandoah River at Morgan Ford low water bridge in Warren County
• 980.4 MPN E. coli – Manassas Run at Dismal Hollow Road and Gore Road
• 290.9 MPN E. coli – South Fork of the Shenandoah River at Front Royal public boat landing off Luray Ave in Warren County
• 579.4 MPN E. coli – South Fork of the Shenandoah River at relocated Salem/White House public boat landing on west side of river/river left in Page County
• 920.8 MPN E. coli – North Fork of the Shenandoah River below Meems Bottom covered bridge in Mt. Jackson, Shenandoah County

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.

FOSR’s Summer E. coli Testing Project at public access and recreational use areas on the Main Stem, North Fork, and South Fork of the Shenandoah River and Opequon Creek

In cooperation with the Warren County Board of Supervisors, additional sites are being added on Manassas Run to assist in isolating areas contributing to the elevated E. coli levels the FOSR has documented in the watershed.

These are the E. coli concentration results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Wednesday, June 10, 2020.  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.

For years 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.  As of last year, Virginia no longer has a single sample maximum or any criteria for primary recreational contact in freshwaters. Under the recently approved Virginia Code for both the State Water Control Board and VA Dept. of Health, there is no longer any Virginia State agency responsible to inform the public of potential exposure to elevated E. coli levels in freshwater streams and rivers in Virginia.

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 06.10.2020

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results Manassas Run 06.10.2020

The demolition of the 211 westbound bridge in Page County VA has begun.  The newly constructed boat ramp on the west bank of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River (river left)  is now open.  Access to the boat ramp is off of 211 eastbound, towards Luray, before crossing over the bridge.

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Yesterday, Saturday, June 6, while out collecting water samples for a project in Clarke County Virginia, I collected water samples from the chocolate milk discolored river at two of the sites that are part of the FOSR Summer E. coli testing program, FC08 – Route 7 Bridge public boat ramp, and FC-01 Route 50 public boat launch.

E. coli levels measured on Saturday, June 6, at FC08, Route 7 Bridge public boat ramp, 1732.6. Compare this to the E. coli levels of 13.5 that were measured at this site just three days ago on Wednesday, June 3.