2008 Water Quality results
September 12, 2008
2008 E. coli results are in!
Background
Since 2001, the WRP has coordinated a Water Quality Monitoring Program to better understand potential threats to water quality and public health. During summer 2008, WRP staff and volunteers kept tabs at 26 sites throughout the watershed, including popular swimming holes and locations that have the potential to become contaminated. Every Wednesday from June through August, our volunteers measured water clarity and conductivity, and collected water samples that were tested for E. coli.
What is E. coli?
E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestines of all warm-blooded animals. E. coli is easy to test for, and is therefore used as an indicator for other disease-causing bacteria in the water. In other words, a high E. coli count reveals that a variety of disease-causing bacteria from numerous sources (leaking septic systems, animal waste, etc) are in the water and could make people sick.
We monitor E. coli by measuring the number of bacteria colonies/100 mL of water. During the summer months, we find that E. coli counts can fluctuate dramatically depending on weather and other factors. Because of this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that a geometric mean (an average that evens out large variations in the data) be used instead of a simple average when considering multiple samples taken from the same site over time. At the end of each sampling season, we calculate the geometric mean of E. coli at each site for the year. This allows us to identify trends at sites over time. The EPA standard for the geometric mean is 126 colonies/100 mL sample.
2008 E. coli results
4 sites exceeded the geometric mean standard in 2008. This number is down from 2007, when 7 sites exceeded the geometric mean standard. See the table below for the 2008 geometric mean data. Note: sites above the geometric mean of 126 colonies/100 mL sample are marked with an asterick (*).
Main Stem sites
Watson Park – 72
West Hartford Bridge – 34
Mill Brook – 49
White Brook – 75
First Branch at VLS – 56
Payne’s Beach – 65
Fox Stand – 88
Vermont Castings Road – 49
Bethel Bridge – 44
Mouth of Locust Creek – 107
Silver Lake – 6
Gaysville Bridge – 36
Stony Brook – 45
Tweed River – 37
Peavine Park – 89
Lion’s Club Park, Rochester – 50
Hancock Branch – 15
First Branch sites
Cilley Bridge – 200*
Chelsea Rec Park – 268*
Second Branch sites
Dugout Road – 207*
East Hill Road – 123
Third Branch sites
Stock Farm Road – 119
Golf Course Bridge – 106
Thresher Road – 7
Ayer’s Brook – 294*
Adam’s Brook – 37
For more information about water quality in the White River, visit our program site.
News
Posted: September 12, 2008 by wrp_admin
2008 Water Quality results
2008 Water Quality results
September 12, 2008
2008 E. coli results are in!
Background
Since 2001, the WRP has coordinated a Water Quality Monitoring Program to better understand potential threats to water quality and public health. During summer 2008, WRP staff and volunteers kept tabs at 26 sites throughout the watershed, including popular swimming holes and locations that have the potential to become contaminated. Every Wednesday from June through August, our volunteers measured water clarity and conductivity, and collected water samples that were tested for E. coli.
What is E. coli?
E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestines of all warm-blooded animals. E. coli is easy to test for, and is therefore used as an indicator for other disease-causing bacteria in the water. In other words, a high E. coli count reveals that a variety of disease-causing bacteria from numerous sources (leaking septic systems, animal waste, etc) are in the water and could make people sick.
We monitor E. coli by measuring the number of bacteria colonies/100 mL of water. During the summer months, we find that E. coli counts can fluctuate dramatically depending on weather and other factors. Because of this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that a geometric mean (an average that evens out large variations in the data) be used instead of a simple average when considering multiple samples taken from the same site over time. At the end of each sampling season, we calculate the geometric mean of E. coli at each site for the year. This allows us to identify trends at sites over time. The EPA standard for the geometric mean is 126 colonies/100 mL sample.
2008 E. coli results
4 sites exceeded the geometric mean standard in 2008. This number is down from 2007, when 7 sites exceeded the geometric mean standard. See the table below for the 2008 geometric mean data. Note: sites above the geometric mean of 126 colonies/100 mL sample are marked with an asterick (*).
Main Stem sites
Watson Park – 72
West Hartford Bridge – 34
Mill Brook – 49
White Brook – 75
First Branch at VLS – 56
Payne’s Beach – 65
Fox Stand – 88
Vermont Castings Road – 49
Bethel Bridge – 44
Mouth of Locust Creek – 107
Silver Lake – 6
Gaysville Bridge – 36
Stony Brook – 45
Tweed River – 37
Peavine Park – 89
Lion’s Club Park, Rochester – 50
Hancock Branch – 15
First Branch sites
Cilley Bridge – 200*
Chelsea Rec Park – 268*
Second Branch sites
Dugout Road – 207*
East Hill Road – 123
Third Branch sites
Stock Farm Road – 119
Golf Course Bridge – 106
Thresher Road – 7
Ayer’s Brook – 294*
Adam’s Brook – 37
For more information about water quality in the White River, visit our program site.
Posted: July 18, 2008 by wrp_admin
Didymo found in Mad River
Didymo found in Mad River
July 18, 2008
The presence of the invasive algae didymo in the Mad River was confirmed by the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) on July 10, 2008. In a follow up on a sample submitted by a concerned citizen, Leslie Matthews, ANR invasive aquatics expert, found an extensive bloom near Riverwatch Lane in Warren. The algae covers 75-100 percent of the stream bottom at the site, and extends hundreds of meters upstream from that location. In addition, Caitrin Noel, Watershed Coordinator for Friends of the Mad River, has observed didymo in several locations including near the Park and Ride in Warren Village, at Riverside Park, and at Lareau swimhole.
The discovery of didymo in the Mad River – a watershed neighboring the White River – emphasizes the need for all river users to help prevent the spread of didymo to new locations both within and also outside of the White River watershed. At present, didymo is blooming on the main stem of the White River, between the mouth of Locust Creek and Cleveland Brook in Bethel. It is also blooming in Locust Creek, from the mouth upstream to the first bridge on Old Route 12, as well as at the mouth of Stony Brook in Stockbridge.
Because didymo cells are microscopic, they may be present anywhere in the White River watershed without being visible to the naked eye. For this reason, we encourage all river users to CHECK, CLEAN and DRY their gear after each use in the White River. For more information about the CHECK, CLEAN, and DRY protocols, visit our Didymo Resources page.
Volunteer opportunity
To identify where didymo cells are present within the White River watershed, we will be conducting plankton net surveys throughout the watershed this fall. Plankton nets capture didymo cells that are present in the water column. By using plankton nets to test areas of the White River watershed that do not have didymo blooms (upstream of Stockbridge on the main stem, major tributaries), we will be able to determine the extent of didymo’s spread within the watershed. State biologists are using this technique to identify the presence of didymo in Vermont watersheds where didymo blooms have not been confirmed.
To learn more about plankton net surveys or to volunteer, contact us at (802) 763-7733 or info@whiteriverpartnership.org.
Posted: June 19, 2008 by wrp_admin
Didymo bloom found in Bethel
Didymo bloom found in Bethel
June 19, 2008
State biologists confirmed a didymo bloom on Locust Creek today, the first bloom found on a tributary of the White River. Didymo may be seen growing on rocks from the mouth of Locust Creek up to the first bridge on Old Route 12.
This news came after a nuisance didymo bloom was confirmed last week on the main stem of the White River in Bethel. A “nuisance bloom” is defined as a mass of stalks that extend for greater than 1km and persist for several months of the year.
The area affected by this nuisance bloom runs from Locust Creek (near the Route 12 North intersection with Route 107) downstream to Cleveland Brook (just upstream from Peavine Park in Bethel). River users are urged to avoid moving from this affected area into uncontaminated areas (such as the Third Branch or upper Locust Creek) without first thoroughly disinfecting their clothing and gear.
Didymo, which was first found in the White River in July 2007 near Stony Brook in Stockbridge, Vermont, is a cause for concern because it forms thick mats on rocks that can choke out aquatic organisms, is easy to spread via human contact, and fouls the water for recreation. Since eradication is not possible, public education about spread prevention is the most effective response method available.
The White River Partnership (WRP) and Trout Unlimited (TU) are teaming up to address Didymo in the White River watershed through a far-reaching education campaign this summer. New brochures have been printed and are being distributed to local businesses – mainly outfitters, outdoor stores and other businesses that sell fishing licenses – in hopes of educating people who fish, swim and boat in the river about decontaminating gear and clothing used in the water.
In addition, WRP and TU members will be monitoring the river and installing permanent signs along the river urging people to Check, Clean and Dry any and all clothing and gear that has been in the White River. For more information about the Check, Clean and Dry protocols, visit our Didymo Resources page.