Our summer of water quality testing has come to a close. See the Rogue basin's water quality report card here!
Water quality sample taken from Lost Creek Lake in August of this year. Credit: RRK
This summer, Rogue Riverkeeper and our awesome crew of volunteers spent the summer collecting 140 samples from streams, rivers, and reservoirs in the Rogue basin to monitor our waterways for safe swimming. We were pleased to see that many of our favorite recreation sites were safe this summer for swimming, fishing, and boating. Standout locations continue to be the main stem of the Rogue in several locations from Gold Hill to the Grave Creek boat ramp, the West Fork Illinois at Forks State Park, and Applegate Rivers at Cantrall-Buckley and Fish Hatchery Parks, Ashland Creek in Lithia Park and Grave Creek at the mouth. Even Evans Creek at Palmerton Park in the City of Rogue River had none of its 10 samples get close to failing for safe water contact, which has not always been the case in past years.
Check out this year’s water quality report card below.
But problem areas persist…
Two tributaries, Wagner Creek and Little Butte Creek, had regular incidence of E. coli bacteria which has also been the case in prior years. While these streams are not commonly used for swimming and boating because they are small and fishing is not allowed, they both flow alongside residences and parks. These streams are shallow and easily accessible by residents and could be a safe place for summer heat respite if not for the high incidence of bacteria.
Wagner Creek flows through Talent, and Little Butte Creek flows through Eagle Point, and only 60% of samples we collected from those streams passed the standard for safe water contact this summer. Both streams have rural residential and agricultural land upstream, so sources of bacteria could be either human or animals—wild or domestic.
After Rogue Riverkeeper’s sampling results in Talent, several agencies stepped up with additional sampling of Wagner Creek upstream of town and found high levels of bacterial contamination indicating that the bacteria is getting into the creek before Wagner Creek enters town. Rogue Riverkeeper’s sampling results led to partners performing EDNA analysis of Wagner which has indicated that most of the bacteria is human in origin (dumping or leaking septic systems likely). Rogue Riverkeeper will be working with the OR DEQ, OR Dept. of Ag, and others to discuss next steps to reduce bacterial pollution in this stream.
Wagner Creek in Talent, OR. Credit: RRK
Little Butte Creek in Eagle Point, OR. Credit: RRK
Incidence of Harmful Algal Blooms:
While Lost Creek Lake and Emigrant Lake had low bacteria this summer, both had issues with harmful algal blooms and saw an advisory from the OR Health Authority in the early summer. Sampling done by Rogue Riverkeeper and posted on Swim Guide only indicates the incidence of E. coli bacteria, which is what Oregon uses to determine that water is safe for contact, but there are other substances, like harmful algal blooms or other contaminants that can make water unsafe for swimming. Always use caution and when in doubt, stay out.
Gratitude for support of this year’s Water Quality Monitoring Program
Thanks to our volunteers (Robert A., Nick B., Kathie J., Mary H., Nicole H., Randy S., Shannon H., Bryan N., Linda N., Kim R., Susie S., Roxanne T., JP and Sada) who collected most of the samples needed to monitor these locations and delivered them to our drop locations. Thanks also to the folks at Oregon Books & Games in Grants Pass, who again served as a drop location for our far flung sample sites. Gratitude also to our returning seasonal field technician, Kathryn Connelly, who ran our lab and really knows the ropes now. The Rogue Riverkeeper summer water monitoring program could not operate without these individuals, so we thank you!
Our water quality monitoring is 100% community-funded, & we couldn’t offer these resources without the financial support of folks like you.
The Swim Guide is a free community resource that we are proud to offer you so you can feel confident about your health & safety while connecting with your public lands & waters all summer long.