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:
These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Wednesday, June 24, 2020.
FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 06.24.2020
At the following sites, the E. Coli levels were in exceedance of the previous Virginia Water Quality Standard for primary contact recreational use for a single sample maximum of 235 E. coli colony forming units (CFUs) per 100 ml.
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.
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:
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.
Today, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, I was invited to meet with representatives from Norfolk Southern Corporation and VA Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) at Manassas Run. Below are pictures of the steps that have been taken by Norfolk Southern Corp. to mitigate the sediment loading into Manassas Run that I previously documented. Additional best management practices (BMPs) are going to be installed to further reduce the sediment transport into Manassas Run.