To provide you with the most current E. coli levels in preparation of your holiday plans, I collected water samples at 7 sites yesterday, Friday, July 2.  The E. coli levels at FW36 Manassas Run and FW35MID Shenandoah River both at Morgan’s Ford low water bridge in Warren County VA, increased from when the water samples were collected on Thursday, July 1.  On both days the E. coli levels at these two sites 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.

07.02.2021 FW36 – Manassas Run upstream of the confluence with main-stem Shenandoah River, just upstream of the public boat landing, >2,419.6 MPN of E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL.

07.01.2021 FW36 – Manassas Run upstream of the confluence with main-stem Shenandoah River, just upstream of the public boat landing, 275.5 MPN of E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL

07.02.2021 FW35MID –Main-stem Shenandoah River at Morgan’s Ford low H2O bridge at mid width of the River, 920.8 MPN E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL

07.01.2021 FW35MID –Main-stem Shenandoah River at Morgan’s Ford low H2O bridge at mid width of the River, 290.9 MPN E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL

FOSR 2021 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.02.2021

At three of the sites that we collected water samples at yesterday, Thursday July 01,  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.

FW36 – Manassas Run upstream of the confluence with main-stem Shenandoah River, just upstream of the public boat landing, 275.5 MPN of E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL

FW35MID –Main-stem Shenandoah River at Morgan’s Ford low H2O bridge at mid width of the River, 290.9 MPN E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL

FSMB – North Fork of the Shenandoah River at Meems Bottom, 290.9 MPN E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL

FOSR 2021 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.01.2021

The map includes the site locations and data for the water samples that I collected yesterday, June 24, 2021, from the stretch of Passage Creek that flows through the USFS Elizabeth Furnace Day Use Area. The E. coli levels did not exceed the previous Virginia water-quality standard threshold of 235 E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL of water sample for primary recreational use.

E. coli levels crept up at all of the sites that we collected water samples from yesterday.  At three of the sites, 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.

FW36 – Manassas Run upstream of the confluence with main-stem Shenandoah River, just upstream of the public boat landing, 272.2 MPN of E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL

FW35 –Main-stem Shenandoah River at Morgan’s Ford low H2O bridge public boat landing below the confluence with Manassas Run, 275.5 MPN E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL

FSMB – North Fork of the Shenandoah River at Meems Bottom, 435.2 MPN E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL

FOSR 2021 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 06.10.2021

These are the E. coli results for the water samples collected yesterday, Thursday, June 03, 2021.

FOSR 2021 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 06.03.2021

The thing that was most noticeable yesterday when we were out collecting the water samples at the various sites was the low water levels for this time of year.

Previously in Virginia, if a single freshwater grab sample contained E. coli bacteria levels that exceeded 235 CFUs then the water would have been considered unsafe for primary recreational contact. Under the current Virginia Code, effective as of October 2019, for both the State Water Control Board and VA Dept. of Health, there is no longer any agency responsible to inform the public of potential exposure to elevated E. coli levels in the freshwater streams and rivers in Virginia!

The Friends of the Shenandoah River have been providing this accredited E. coli data to you so that you can make an informed decision of the potential related health risks before engaging in primary recreational use activities in the river.

Only with YOUR SUPPORT can the Friends of the Shenandoah River continue to provide this vital service. Please support us by making a donation today. https://fosr.org/join-us/join/

The thunderstorms that passed through Wednesday afternoon made for a beautiful day on Thursday to be out collecting the water samples for FOSR’s first 2021 Summer Quantitative E. coli Test Results at public recreational use sites on the Main Stem, South Fork, and North Fork of the Shenandoah River and the Opequon Creek.

Unfortunately, at this time, we are not able to include all of the sites that we monitored as in previous summers due to the lack of funding necessary to provide this vital resource to you.  If you wish to support FOSR’s Summer E. coli testing program, please donate via PayPal https://fosr.org/join-us/join/

or send a check to Friends of the Shenandoah River                                  1460 University Dr, Winchester VA 22601

The Friends of the Shenandoah River is a 501c3  not-for-profit organization, all donations are tax-deductible.

FOSR 2021 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results 05.27.2021

This past year has seen a monumental increase in the use of public natural areas. The community has come to rely on the weekly E. coli concentration results updates from FOSR’s annual summer E. coli testing program at public access and recreational sites on the Shenandoah River. The goal of this program is to provide frequent, real-time accredited E. coli concentration results for river recreation users to make an informed decision about potential associated health risks when recreating in the areas of the river tested. The weekly quantitative E. coli concentration results are available to the public on both the FOSR website and Facebook page. The public’s interest in this program has been overwhelmingly positive. As a reminder of potential health risks when recreating in high flow, muddy, and/or turbid waters, the FOSR coined the slogan, “When it’s Brown, Turn Around”. Many times, when out collecting the water samples, FOSR staff is greeted with river goers calling out, “When it’s Brown, Turn Around”

Only with your support can the Friends of the Shenandoah River continue to provide this vital service. Please support us by making a donation today.  https://fosr.org/join-us/join/

Friends of the Shenandoah River   1460 University Drive   Winchester, VA 22601