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:
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.
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.
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 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.