A local resident, concerned about the upcoming youth activities planned in and around Hawksbill Creek, Page County Virginia, reached out to the Friends of the Shenandoah River (FOSR) to conduct E. coli testing at two sites along Hawksbill Creek on April 9, 2025. One of the sites was at the Greenway Pocket Park, located downstream of the Greenway pedestrian bridge. FOSR monitored this site once a week from May to October in 2024, conducting a total of 18 tests. Of those, 17 showed E. coli levels exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended Beach Action Value (BAV) of 235 CFU per 100 mL of water. This threshold is intended to serve as an early warning for potential health risks related to freshwater recreational activities, particularly for families with children. The second site tested on April 9, 2025, was located near the Greenway Park & Ride, upstream of the eastbound 340/211 bridge.
Below are the E. coli concentration results for the two water samples collected along Hawksbill Creek on April 9, 2025. At both sites, E. coli levels exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended precautionary “do not exceed” Beach Action Value (BAV) of 235 CFU per 100 mL of water. These results reflect the E. coli concentrations at the specific date, time, and environmental conditions when the samples were collected. E. coli levels can fluctuate, meaning concentrations may vary over time.
Site FPHCTL – Hawksbill Creek, Town of Luray @ Greenway Pocket Park adjacent to Virginia Ave. downstream of Greenway pedestrian bridge, 461.1 MPN E. coli CFUs per 100 mL of H2O sample.
Site FPHCGWP&R – Hawksbill Creek, Town of Luray @ Greenway Park & Ride, Commuter Court off Hwy 340 Bus, site upstream of eastbound Hwy 340/211 Bridge, 365.4 MPN E. coli CFUs per 100 mL of H2O sample.
