The E. coli levels at 3 of the 12 sites tested on Thursday, September 8, 2022, exceeded the 235 E. coli CFU/100 mL threshold for recreational use. These three sites were;

• Fw35 – Main-stem Shenandoah River along the stream-bank at Morgan’s Ford public boat landing in Warren County, VA. The water level and flow in the main-stem of the Shenandoah River at Morgan’s Ford PBL had increased enough for a water sample to be collected at site FW35.
• FW35Mid – Main-stem Shenandoah River mid-river at Morgan’s Ford public boat landing in Warren County
• FSSP North Fork Shenandoah River at Strasburg Park public boat landing, Shenandoah County, VA

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FOSR-2022-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-09.08.2022.pdf

Although a water sample was collected at site FW36, Manassas Run upstream of the confluence with the Shenandoah River at Morgan’s Ford public boat landing in Warren County, VA, there isn’t any data because the sample was dropped during the set up for E. coli testing.  Also, access to the Opequon Creek site is still  blocked by down tress and brush preventing a water sample from being collected at this site.

The E. coli levels at all of the 13 sites tested on Thursday, August 25, 2022, did not exceeded the 235 E. coli CFU/100 mL threshold for recreational use.

I was unable to collect a water sample at the Opequon Creek site because access was blocked by down tress and brush.

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FOSR-2022-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-08.25.2022.pdf

As a reference point, the FOSR uses the Virginia water-quality standard prior to October 2019 which was a single sample threshold of 235 E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL of water sample for primary recreational use. Meaning that if a single freshwater grab sample had E. coli levels that exceed 235 CFU per 100mL of water sample then the water was considered unsafe for primary recreational use.

The FOSR is providing these data for you to make an informed decision regarding recreation in the Shenandoah River watershed based on the sites tested.

The E. coli levels at all of the 14 sites tested on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, did not exceeded the 235 E. coli CFU/100 mL threshold for recreational use.

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FOSR-2022-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-08.17.2022.pdf

As a reference point, the FOSR uses the Virginia water-quality standard prior to October 2019 which was a single sample threshold of 235 E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL of water sample for primary recreational use. Meaning that if a single freshwater grab sample had E. coli levels that exceed 235 CFU per 100mL of water sample then the water was considered unsafe for primary recreational use.

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