News

FOSR’s 2024 Summer E. coli Test Program Results for Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Below is the link to the E. coli results for the water samples collected yesterday, 06.11.2024, as part of Friends of the Shenandoah River’s Summer E. coli Testing Program. To confirm the previous 3 consecutive elevated E. coli readings at site FPHCTL, Hawksbill Creek Town of Luray off Virginia Ave., we performed a compliance QC split sample and collected a sample identified as FPHCUB upstream of site FPHCTL. The location of the upstream site, FPHCUB, was selected to potentially eliminate the semi-exposed sewer line the runs through Hawksbill Creek at site FPHCTL as seen in photo. With the elevated readings found upstream, it appears that this sewer line is not the culprit. We will continue to investigate if funding/donations continue to be available. To support our efforts please go to the donate tab.

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/FOSRs-2024-Summer-E.-coli-Testing-Program-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-06.11.2024.pdf

 

FOSR’s 2024 Summer E. coli Test Program Results for Wednesday, June 5, 2024

These are the E. coli results for the water samples collected on Wednesday June 05, 2024 as part of Friends of the Shenandoah River (FOSR) Summer E. coli Testing Program at public access locations on the Main-stem, South Fork, and North Fork of the Shenandoah River.  On this day, 4 out of 16 of the sites tested exceeded the threshold limit of 235 E. coli CFU/100 mL utilized by FOSR for primary recreational activities in freshwater streams and rivers. Prior to October 2019, 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, instantaneous, sample maximum threshold for E. coli for primary recreational contact in freshwaters.

After 3 consecutive weeks of elevated E. coli readings at the FPHCTL Hawksbill Creek site located in the Town of Luray we have decided to also test at a site upstream next week. The purpose for doing this will be to attempt to isolate potential cause(s) of the repeated abundance of E. coli at this site.

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/FOSRs-2024-Summer-E.-coli-Testing-Program-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-06.05.2024.pdf

FOSR’s 2024 Summer E. coli Test Program Results for Thursday, May 30, 2024

 05.30.204 FPHCTL Hawksbill Creek, Town of Luray, Page County VA E. coli reading 980.4 MPN  CFUs per 100mL of sample

These are the E. coli results for the water samples collected on Thursday May 30, 2024 as part of Friends of the Shenandoah River (FOSR) Summer E. coli Testing Program at public access locations on the Main-stem, South Fork, and North Fork of the Shenandoah River.  These results provide a snapshot of the E. coli bacteria concentrations at the designated sites on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water samples were collected.

On May 30, 2024, 1 out of 16 of the sites tested exceeded the criteria utilized by FOSR of 235 E. coli CFU/100 ml.  Prior to October 2019, 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, instantaneous, sample maximum or any criteria for primary recreational contact in freshwaters.

The FOSR provides unrestricted access to our water-quality data. We ask that acknowledgment and credit is given when using and referring to these data. Please support us with a donation so that we can continue to provide you with these valuable data. https://fosr.org/join-us/join/

FOSR’s Launched Our 2024 Summer E. coli Testing Program

Friends of the Shenandoah River (FOSR) launched our Summer E. coli Testing Program at public access locations on the Main-stem, South Fork, and North Fork of the Shenandoah River yesterday, Tuesday May 21, 2024. We started this program in 2017 to let you, the river user, make an informed decision as to potential related health risks when engaging in primary recreational use activities in the river at the sites tested. The FOSR provides unrestricted access to our water-quality data. We ask that acknowledgment and credit is given when using and referring to these data. In order to continue to provide you with these data we hope that you will support us with a donation.

05.21.2024 Site: FPSLRP, South Fork of the Shenandoah River at Shenandoah Landing and River Park, Town of Shenandoah, Page County

These results provide a snapshot of the E. coli bacteria concentrations at the designated sites on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water samples were collected. On May 21, 2024, 3 out of 15 of the sites tested exceeded the criteria utilized by FOSR of 235 E. coli CFU/100 ml.
Prior to October 2019, 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, instantaneous, sample maximum or any criteria for primary recreational contact in freshwaters.

FOSR’s Summer E. coli Test Results for Tuesday, August 15, 2023

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected on, Tuesday, August 15, 2023. None of the sites tested exceeded the criteria utilized by FOSR of 235 CFU/100 ml. Prior to October 2019, 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, instantaneous, sample maximum or any criteria for primary recreational contact in freshwaters.

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FOSR-2023-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-08.15.2023.pdf

FOSR’s Summer E. coli Test Results for Tuesday, August 08, 2023

August 08, 2023, FSDR North Fork Shenandoah River at Deer Rapids public boat launch, Shenandoah County VA.

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected on, Tuesday, August 8, after the rain that came through in some areas on Monday. Two out of 13 of the sites tested exceeded the criteria utilized by FOSR of 235 CFU/100 ml. Prior to October 2019, 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, instantaneous, sample maximum or any criteria for primary recreational contact in freshwaters.

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FOSR-2023-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-08.08.2023.pdf

FOSR’s Summer E. coli Test Results for Wednesday, July 26, 2023

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, July 26, for FOSR’s Summer E. coli testing program at sites located on the NF, SF, and Main-stem of the Shenandoah River. 1 out of 13 of the sites tested exceeded the criteria utilized by FOSR of 235 CFU/100 ml. Prior to October 2019, 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, instantaneous, sample maximum or any criteria for primary recreational contact in freshwaters.

FOSR’s Summer E. coli Test Results for Tuesday, July 18, 2023

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Tuesday, July 18, 2023.  The sites located on the Main-stem, North Fork, and South Fork of the Shenandoah River had relatively low levels of E. coli, while the E. Coli levels in Manassas Run however remain elevated.

  • FW 36 – 435.2 MPN E. coli  Manassas Run, upstream of the confluence with the Shenandoah River at Morgan Ford low water bridge in Warren County, VA

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/FOSR-2023-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-07.18.2023.pdf

As a benchmark, the FOSR uses the single sample concentration threshold of 235 E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL of water sample for primary recreational use that was included in the Virginia water-quality standard prior to October 2019.  Meaning that if a single freshwater grab sample had E. coli concentration/levels that exceed 235 CFU per 100mL of water sample then the water was considered unsafe for primary recreational use.  These data represent a snapshot of the water quality on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water sample was collected.

FOSR’s Summer E. coli Test Results for Tuesday, July 11, 2023

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Tuesday, July 11, 2023.  The sites located on the Main-stem, North Fork, and South Fork of the Shenandoah River had relatively low levels of E. coli, while the E. Coli levels in Manassas Run however remain elevated.

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/FOSR-2023-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-07.11.2023.pdf

  • FW 36 – 248.1 MPN E. coli  Manassas Run, upstream of the confluence with the Shenandoah River at Morgan Ford low water bridge in Warren County, VA

As a benchmark, the FOSR uses the single sample concentration threshold of 235 E. coli colony-forming units per 100 mL of water sample for primary recreational use that was included in the Virginia water-quality standard prior to October 2019.  Meaning that if a single freshwater grab sample had E. coli concentration/levels that exceed 235 CFU per 100mL of water sample then the water was considered unsafe for primary recreational use.  These data represent a snapshot of the water quality on the date, time, and under the conditions that the water sample was collected.

 

 

Much of Shenandoah River Watershed Still Under Drought Watch Advisory

Map image from National Drought Mitigation Center – “The U.S. Drought Monitor is produced through a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.”

July, 7, 2023: While VA Dept of Environmental Quality has removed some areas in Virginia from the Drought Watch Advisory issued on June 9, 2023, an advisory remains in effect for the Eastern Shore and Shenandoah drought evaluation regions, which include Northampton, Accomack, Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Warren, and Clarke counties. 

 
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