Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category
June 22, 2022 Concerning E. coli levels at Site FW 35 Shenandoah River, Morgan’s Ford bridge
The E. coli levels of >2,419.6 MPN of CFUs per 100 mL of water sample at Site FW 35 Shenandoah River, Morgan’s Ford bridge, along the bank of the public boat launch on June 22,
2022 are of concern. When I was collecting the water sample at this site yesterday there were people of all ages, toddlers to adults, enjoying a summers day in the River.
Finding E. coli bacteria in the water indicates recent fecal contamination and possible presence of other disease-causing microorganisms or pathogens. As the level of E. coli increases, potential health risk from exposure to pathogenic organisms also increases. Possible health effects:
-
- Gastrointestinal illnesses
- Urinary tract infections
- Respiratory infections
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Exposure to open wounds can cause wound infection
- In rare causes, type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome
- https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/FOSR-2022-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-06.22.2022.pdf
Storms put a damper on the Water Sample Collection
Storms rolled in 
quickly yesterday afternoon while we were collecting the water sample at Berry’sFerry (Rt. 50 bridge) public boat landing in Clarke County, VA. We called it a day. We went back to the FOSR’s water quality testing lab to set up the water samples that we did collect for E. coli enumeration. This morning we headed back out to collect the water samples at the sites that we weren’t able to hit yesterday. I also revisited a few of the sites that I collected samples from yesterday to compare the effect of the storms had on the E. coli levels.
E. coli Results for 6.09.2022 are all over the Place
While it did rain on Wednesday, June 8, and possibly into the early morning hours of Thursday, June 9, the rain had stopped by the time I headed out to collect the water samples around 7 AM. From my observations at the sites that I collected the water samples at on the North Fork, South Fork, and Main-stem of the Shenandoah River it appeared that it had at least rained some at all of the sites. At about half of the sites there were standing pools of water in the parking areas, at others it appeared that there was just enough rain to make the area wet. The water levels, however, in all three River stretches did not rise as much as it had last week when I collected the water samples. Interesting though, is that the E. coli concentrations measured at all of the sites were higher this week, at some sites greatly so.
FOSR’s 2022 Summer E. coli Results through 06.01.2022
Remember to check in weekly for FOSR’s Summer E. coli Testing Program Results for sites located at public access and recreational use areas on the Main-stem, North Fork, and South Fork of the Shenandoah River.
FOSR 2022 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 06.01.2022
Join Us at Sage Bird Ciderworks on June 17, 4 – 11 PM
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.
Confluence Conundrum
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)
FOSR is Again Providing You with Current E. coli Data
It is summer again and the Friends of the Shenandoah River is here to provide you with E. coli data courtesy of our VA DEQ Level III water quality testing laboratory. These data can help you to make an informed decision about potential health risk exposure to pathogens associ
ated with the presence of E. coli in the water when recreating in the River at the specified sites.
This is the link to find the first set of E. coli data for Summer 2022.
FOSR 2022 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 05.25.2022