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These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Wednesday, June 14, 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 remained elevated.

https://fosr.org/state-of-the-river/water-quality-reports/

• 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.

These are the E. coli results for the water samples that were collected yesterday, Wednesday, June 07, 2023.  The sites located on the Main-stem, North Fork, and South Fork of the Shenandoah River had relatively low E. coli concentrations/levels.  The E. Coli concentrations/levels in Manassas Run however were elevated.   https://fosr.org/state-of-the-river/water-quality-reports/

• FW 36 – 325.5 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 reference point, 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.

The summer season is upon us and the Friends of the Shenandoah River is here to provide you with E. coli data courtesy of our VA DEQ Level III water quality testing laboratory.  These data can help you to make an informed decision about potential health risk exposure to pathogens associated with the presence of E. coli in the water when recreating in the River at the specified sites.

This is the link to find the first set of E. coli data for Summer 2023.

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FOSR-2023-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-05.30.2023.pdf

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

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FOSR-2022-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-09.08.2022.pdf

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.

The E. coli levels at all of the 13 sites tested on Thursday, August 25, 2022, did not exceeded the 235 E. coli CFU/100 mL threshold for recreational use.

I was unable to collect a water sample at the Opequon Creek site because access was blocked by down tress and brush.

https://fosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FOSR-2022-Summer-Quantitative-E.-coli-Concentration-Results-through-08.25.2022.pdf

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.