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.

The following are recommendations from the Virginia Department of Health to consider before recreating in freshwater rivers and streams.
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/waterborne-hazards-control/

Status of the construction of the partial dam on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River upstream of the current White House public boat ramp in Page County off Route 211 on Route 646 and construction of the new public boat ramp on the opposite side of the river.

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The appearance of Manassas Run upstream of the confluence with the Shenandoah River along Morgan Ford Road and the Shenandoah River downstream of the confluence with Manassas Run at the Morgan Ford Road low water bridge on June 03, 2020.

Both Warren County and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) representatives have been to the site four or five times of the unnamed tributary contaminating Manassas Run with E. coli, sediment, and discoloration. Warren County and VA DEQ have been responsive, reactive, and open to sharing information. The draining of the containment basin is being done by Norfolk Southern Railroad so that the culvert that handles the overflow from the basin can be replaced. My understanding is that VA DEQ directed Norfolk Southern Railroad to immediately stop the discharge until satisfactory erosion and sediment measures were put in place to stop the discharge of the polluted water into Manassas Run. When I visited the site today I found a berm that was constructed out of rocks and gravel to filter and slow the flow of the discharge. It was not working, as seen in these pictures. While at the site I called VA DEQ. As it turns out, VA DEQ had also been at the site today with representatives from Norfolk Southern Railroad. VA DEQ informed Norfolk Southern Railroad that the berm was not sufficient an additional erosion and sediment measures were mandated.