Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Finding the source of the runoff into Manassas Run

I didn’t want to leave you all hanging so yesterday I went out to find the source that caused the influx of sediment-laden runoff that caused the water level of Manassas Run to raise at least 4 inches, maybe more at the peak.  Mark Frondorf, the Shenandoah Riverkeeper, and Bill Howard, with the Downstream Project, joined me yesterday in my hunt for the source. Mark is researching to see if any regulations or laws have been/are being violated.

The area circled on the map below is the catchment basin/lake that is being purposely drained into Manassas Run.  The runoff contaminated at least 3 miles of Manassas Run and then the main-stem of the Shenandoah River.

While searching for the source,  I collected water samples from Manassas Run, the tributary flowing into Manassas Run carrying the sediment, and on the main-stem of the Shenandoah River at Morgan Ford public boat landing on the southeastern side of the bridge.  The E. coli results will be posted momentarily.

I have also provided maps, videos, and pictures of this activity to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and Warren County authorities.

Posted on May 30th, 2020 in Events, Featured, Uncategorized

FOSR’s 2020 Summer E. coli Results through 05.27.2020

The E. coli results are in for the water samples that I collected and tested yesterday for the FOSR’s summer E. coli testing program. It was more than sediment that was being carried downstream in Manassas Run. The E. coli level in Manassas Run above the confluence with the Shenandoah River at the bridge on Morgan Ford Road was 1,732.9 MPN of E. coli CFU per 100mL of water sample (FW-36). The E. coli level in the Shenandoah River along the banks downstream of the confluence with Manassas Run was 920.8 (FW-35). I also collected a water sample by wading out into the river away from the disturbance. The E. coli level in this sample was 35.9, Shenandoah River mid-stream (FW-35 Mid).

FOSR 2020 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Result through 05.27.2020

Posted on May 28th, 2020 in Events, Featured, Uncategorized

Update: damming of SF Shenandoah River at White House public boat launch

The next stop on my route yesterday was seeing what was happening upstream of the White House public boat ramp of U.S. 211 at Rt. 646 in Page County. Continuing to build the dam on the east side of the SF Shenandoah River.

IMG_3730

 

Posted on May 28th, 2020 in Uncategorized

The North Fork of the Shenandoah River at Meems Bottom

The North Fork of the Shenandoah River at Meems Bottom in Mount Jackson, Virginia

Posted on May 28th, 2020 in Events, Featured, Uncategorized

FOSR’s 2020 Summer E. coli Results through 05.20.2020

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, May 20, 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 05.20.2020

At 1 of the 14 sites tested on Wednesday May 20, 2020 the E. coli levels exceeded the “previous” Virginia Water Quality Standard threshold level of 235 colony-forming units of E. coli per 100 ml of sample for freshwater beaches.  This site was:

  • FW36, Manassas Run, a tributary the feeds into the Main-stem Shenandoah River just upstream of the public boat landing at Morgan’s Ford Bridge on Morgans Ford Road, Warren County
Posted on May 21st, 2020 in Featured, Uncategorized

Giant Stonefly

This giant stonefly was staking out its territory along the SF Shenandoah River at Raymond R. “Andy” Guest, Jr. Shenandoah River State Park in Warren County.

 

Posted on May 16th, 2020 in Events, Featured, Uncategorized

Damselfly

Friendly damselfly stopped to watch me collect the water sample at Raymond R. “Andy” Guest, Jr. Shenandoah River State Park in Warren County.

 

 

Posted on May 16th, 2020 in Uncategorized

May 14, 2020 Eastside SF Shenandoah River dammed White House Public Boat Landing

05.14.2020 Eastside of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River is now dammed at the White House Public Boat Landing in Page County.  A new boat landing is being built on the opposite side of the river.

East side SF Shenandoah River damned White House Public Boat Landing 05.14.2020

Posted on May 16th, 2020 in Events, Featured, Uncategorized

Virginia no longer provides critical water-quality information

Remember this post from July 24, 2019? 

Under the recently approved Virginia Code for both the State Water Control Board and VA Dept. of Health, there is no longer any Virginia State agency responsible to inform the public of potential exposure to elevated E. coli levels in freshwater streams and rivers in Virginia! The Friends of the Shenandoah River (FOSR) need your support to be able to continue to provide you with this critical information related to your and your family’s health when recreating in the Shenandoah River.

Donations can be made using the following link with PayPal: https://fosr.org/join-us/join/

or donations can be sent to:

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

Thank you for supporting the work of the Friends of the Shenandoah River!

Posted on December 16th, 2019 in Featured, Uncategorized

FOSR 2019 Summer E. coli Results through 09.17.2019

This week we collected the  water samples from the sites located in Clarke County on the Main-stem of the Shenandoah River and the one water sample from Opequon Creek on Monday, September 16 for the E. coli testing program.  We then collected the rest of the water samples on Tuesday, September 17.   Below are the E. coli concentration results for the water samples that were collected on both September 16 and 17.  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 2019 Summer Quantitative E. coli Concentration Results through 09.17.2019

At 1 of the 15 sites tested on September 16 and 17, 2019 the E. coli levels exceeded the Virginia Water Quality Standard threshold level of 235 colony forming units of E. coli per 100 ml of sample for freshwater beaches.  This site was:

  • FW36, Manassas Run, a tributary the feeds into the Main-stem Shenandoah River just upstream of the public boat landing at Morgan’s Ford Bridge on Morgans Ford Road, Warren County
Posted on September 18th, 2019 in Featured, Uncategorized
 
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