These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Wednesday, July 15, 2020.

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 07.15.2020

Overall the sites located on the river had low E. coli levels.  At the following site the E. Coli level exceeded the previous instantaneous Virginia water quality standard threshold of 235 E. Coli CFUs per 100ml of sample for primary recreational contact:

• FW 36 – 360.9 MPN E. coli  Manassas Run, upstream of the confluence with the Shenandoah River at Morgan Ford low water bridge in Warren County

In a freshwater system, these data represent a snapshot of the water quality on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water sample was collected.

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Wednesday, June 24, 2020.

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 06.24.2020

At the following sites, the E. Coli levels were in exceedance of the previous Virginia Water Quality Standard for primary contact recreational use for a single sample maximum of 235 E. coli colony forming units (CFUs) per 100 ml.

• 1553.1 MPN E. coli – Manassas Run upstream of the confluence with the Shenandoah River at Morgan Ford low water bridge in Warren County
• 579.4 MPN E. coli – Opequon Creek at Neill Road ford

In a freshwater system, these data represent a snapshot of the water quality on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water sample was collected.

These are the Friends of the Shenandoah River’s summer E. coli testing program results for the Shenandoah River at the Route 50 and Route 7 public boat launches in Clarke County Virginia on June 3, 6, and 10.

Today, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, I was invited to meet with representatives from Norfolk Southern Corporation and VA Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) at Manassas Run.  Below are pictures of the steps that have been taken by Norfolk Southern Corp. to mitigate the sediment loading into Manassas Run that I previously documented.  Additional best management practices (BMPs) are going to be installed to further reduce the sediment transport into Manassas Run. 

FOSR’s Summer E. coli Testing Project at public access and recreational use areas on the Main Stem, North Fork, and South Fork of the Shenandoah River and Opequon Creek

Up until the middle of last year, Virginia’s water quality standard for freshwater beach advisories or closures was a single sample maximum of 235 E.coli CFU/100 ml of sample.  Virginia no longer has a single sample maximum or any criteria for primary recreational contact in freshwaters.

These are the E. coli concentration results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Wednesday, June 03, 2020.  In a freshwater system, these data represent a snapshot of the water quality on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water sample was collected.

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 06.03.2020

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Result Manassas Run 06.03.2020

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Friday, May 29. The E. coli levels of the tributary, site of the high flow laden with discoloration and sediment, feeding into Manassas Run were greater than 2,419.6. The E. coli counts exceeded the maximum detectable limit of the method used for E. coli enumeration. The E. coli levels were lower in Manassas Run above the confluence with the Shenandoah River at the bridge on Morgan Ford Road compared to the levels on Wednesday, May 27. Also, the E. coli levels were lower in the river along the bank of the public boat landing.