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
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.
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.