Of the 14 sites tested on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, two exceeded the 235 E. coli CFU/100 mL threshold for recreational use. The sites that exceeded were:

• FW36 – Manassas Run, Warren County, VA, above the confluence with Main-stem of Shenandoah River @ Morgan’s Ford public boat landing, E. coli 461.1 MPN CFU per 100 mL of sample
• FW35 – Main-stem of Shenandoah River, Warren County, VA @ Morgan’s Ford public boat landing, below the confluence with Manassas Run, E. coli 387.3 MPN CFU per 100 mL of sample

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/FOSR-2022-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-07.20.2022.pdf

E. coli results from sampling on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Of the 13 sites tested, five exceeded the 235 CFU/100 mL . The sites that exceeded were:

• FW36 – Manassas Run, Warren County, VA, above the confluence with Main-stem of Shenandoah River @ Morgan’s Ford public boat landing, E. coli 3972.6 MPN CFU per 100 mL of sample
• FW35 – Main-stem of Shenandoah River, Warren County, VA @ Morgan’s Ford public boat landing, below the confluence with Manassas Run, E. coli 980.4 MPN CFU per 100 mL of sample
• FW14 – South Fork Shenandoah River, Warren County, VA @ Front Royal public boat landing, E. coli 517.2 MPN CFU per 100 mL of sample
• FP03WL – South Fork Shenandoah River, Page County, VA @ White House public boat landing, E. coli 275.5 MPN CFU per 100 mL of sample
• FCOC – Opequon Creek, Clarke/Frederick County, VA off Neill Road, E. coli 821.2 MPN CFU per 100 mL of sample

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/FOSR-2022-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-07.13.2022.pdf

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

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Wednesday, August 25, 2021.

FOSR 2021 Summer Quantitative E. coli concentration Results through 08.25.2021

Of the 12 times that FOSR has tested Manassas Run this summer, the E. coli levels 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 10 times (83% of the times tested).

The algal blooms continue in the North Fork of the Shenandoah River at Strasburg Park.  While at the site yesterday the foul odor released by the algae was intense.  Sections of the streambed were 75-80% covered with algae making it look like a carpet of green.   Also, lots of clumps of algae that have broken loose were floating downstream.

The low water levels at several of the sites continue to be a serious concern.