A River of green – North Fork of the Shenandoah River at Strasburg Park, Shenandoah County Virginia.
FOSR’s 2021 Summer E. coli Results through 07.28.2021
Yesterday, and for the past five weeks, the E. coli levels measured at site FW36, Manassas Run, upstream of the confluence with main-stem Shenandoah River at Morgan’s Ford, just upstream of the public boat landing, have exceeded the previous Virginia water-quality standard threshold of 235 E. coli colony forming units per 100 mL of water sample for primary recreational use.
07.28.2021 FW36 – Manassas Run 648.8 MPN of E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL.
FOSR 2021 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.28.2021
The very noticeable decreasing water levels and increasing algal blooms in the Shenandoah River watershed pose potential health threats to humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife.
VDH’s Prevention Tips for when Harmful Algal Blooms are present –
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/178/2021/03/VDH-Cyanobacteria-Flyer4_16_21.pdf
ADVISORY posted by the Virginia Department of Health – Out of an abundance of caution, an advisory has been issued for the North Fork Shenandoah River due to the detection of cyanobacteria toxins within mat material at two sites; Bethel Road (near the intersection of Rt. 644) and at Strasburg, near S Holliday Street (Rt. 648). While the cyanobacteria mats at those two discreet locations are wide-spread, they were not observed throughout the entire ~5 mile stretch of this river segment. Weather and other environmental factors can cause rapid changes in water quality and cause mat material to shift in location. People and pets should avoid contact and accidental ingestion of cyanobacteria mats throughout the river. The drinking water plant at Strasburg is working with state and county officials to ensure the continued safety of drinking water and will continue to monitor for algal toxins at the plant intake.
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/178/2021/07/NF-Shenanodah-HAB-Status-Report-7.23.21_final.pdf
Once again the E. coli levels of >2,419.6 measured at site FW36, Manassas Run upstream of the confluence with main-stem Shenandoah River, just upstream of the public boat landing, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, exceeded the previous Virginia water-quality standard threshold of 235 E. coli colony forming units per 100 mL of water sample for primary recreational use.
FOSR 2021 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.21.2021
The water level in the North Fork and South Fork of the Shenandoah River dropped again this week. Also seeing algae blooms at many of the sites we collect water samples from.
Potentially harmful algae bloom in the North Fork of the Shenandoah River near Bethel Road area of Strasburg in Shenandoah County. The Lord Fairfax Health District of the Virginia Health Department is cautioning people not to swim in that area until the results of an algae test come in later this week. The algae blooms discovered at the Bethel Road area of Strasburg could be cyanobacteria, which “has the ability to put out a neurotoxin.”