2021 Water Quality Report Card
Rogue Riverkeeper’s 2021 Water Quality Monitoring seasonal program has come to a close and we are excited to share the results with you!
Rogue Riverkeeper Water Quality Program
Every year Rogue Riverkeeper staff and volunteers collect water samples from popular swimming locations in the Rogue River Watershed to test for hazardous levels of the bacteria E. coli. Increased levels of bacteria is an indicator of water pollution and people can become sick when they are exposed to water containing excessive levels of this common bacteria. Water samples are collected from early May until later September at twenty different locations including the mainstem Rogue, a number of tributaries, as well as Applegate, Lithia Park (Ashland), Emigrant, and Lost Creek reservoirs. These locations were chosen based on various factors, with a primary consideration being areas likely to host swimmers who can be affected by the presence of E.coli bacteria. The status of each of the sites are posted to the Swim Guide database weekly. Final results for the year are submitted to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality so they may better track the presence of E.coli in our waterways.
2021 Rogue Basin Water Quality Report Card Findings:
Increased drought conditions in the last year have contributed to the effects of pollution in our waterways. Higher temperatures and less water are ideal conditions for bacteria growth. Smaller creeks that are more sensitive to changes in temperature and water levels have tested for higher levels of E. coli than previous years including: Bear Creek in Ashland, Evan’s Creek in Talent, Little Butte Creek in Eagle Point. The mainstem of the Rogue and some of the larger tributaries tested for higher levels of bacteria more frequently than last year, but still within safe levels.
