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Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad July 15, 2006 Tory Johnson gears up for a plunge into the icy water in the public swimming hole at the top of Lithia Park. Photos by Andy Orsow | For the Tidings The hot spot to cool down The reservoir at the top of Lithia Park has something for everyone By Alex Amarotico Tidings Correspondent Summertime in Ashland is in full swing as backyard barbeques fire up, the Elizabethan Theater performs under the stars and the Parks Department prepares to post warning signs around the Lithia Park Reservoir. One of Ashland’s most popular summertime haunts, the Lithia Park Reservoir, is an ideal place for escaping the heat of a Southern Oregon summer. However, as temperatures climb, bacteria numbers naturally follow. Drew Smith jumps into the water after swinging out over a deep spot in the Ashland Creek Reservoir. “The warmer the creek and reservoir get, the more the bacteria count increases,” said Keith Marshall, a water quality technician with the Ashland Water Department for the past 28 years. E coli is the main bacteria tested for, and it grows on the stomach lining of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and is passed into the creek through fecal matter. Although bacteria warnings are annually posted beside the creek, a higher bacterial count is customary by the end of the summer, Marshall says. “With any natural, unfiltered water source there is going to be a bacterial presence. When the snow-melt decreases and the water temperature rises, people need to be aware of the higher risk.” The Water Department tests the creek and reservoir once a week by collecting two 100-ml samples from two different locations. The samples are then sent to private company Neilson Research where the E coli numbers are calculated. “They count how many units of bacteria have developed after a 24-hour period,” says Marshall. If one sample exceeds 406 units per 100-ml, then warnings are posted throughout the park by the Ashland Parks Department. Warnings are also posted if the average unit count exceeds 126 (per 100-ml) over a 30-day period. According to the City of Ashland Health Alert, bacteria levels rise due to more than just warmer water temperatures. Higher use of the reservoir and creek and lower water levels also contribute to the elevated bacteria count. For now the Lithia Park Creek and Reservoir are still safe for wading and swimming, unlike other water sources in the valley including Bear Creek Headwaters, Neil Creek, Butler Creek, Wagner Creek, Payne Creek, Baby Bear Creek, Lone Pine Creek and Jackson Creek. Annabelle Blue, 2, on the right, plays with Talulah Brazie , 1, on the sandy beach of the Ashland Creek Reservoir at Lithia Park. So far Lithia Park is free of warning signs, and the creek and reservoir are filled with people making the best of the time they have. “There’s a deep end for swimming and a shallow end for children, so it’s perfect for all ages,” said Ashland resident Mary-Jane Durham. “It’s only a bike ride away!” she says. The reservoir is a summer staple in Ashland and there is very little danger — as long as users don’t drink the water. “Annabelle! Not in your mouth!” Deborah Blue warns her two-year-old daughter as the flowered-bathing-suit-clad child brings the reservoir water close to her lips. And then there’s the reservoir’s infamous rope swing — shrouded in controversy, this resilient rope is a constant toy for reservoir-goers. So why does it keep disappearing? According to The Ashland Parks Department, when they know that the rope is up, they are required to cut it down since it violates three Ashland City Ordinances in the Municipal Code. Two of the three ordinances have been in place since 1916. One ordinance states that injuring or defacing public park property, including plants and trees, is prohibited. Another states that no rope shall be tied to any tree in a public park, for a swing, hammock or otherwise. But no matter how many times the Parks Department cuts down the rope, it always reappears quickly for those who enjoy swinging on it. “One day last summer there were lots of kids playing on the rope when an officer came and cut it down.” Blue recalled. “After he left some of them got on their cell phones and within half an hour a new rope was in place.” Jeanne Ranaux and her daughter Clara, regulars at the reservoir, challenge themselves to jump off the swing before the warning signs are posted each summer. Have they reached their goal this year? “Not yet,” says Renaux, “but we will.” As for now, until the water temperature rises, the bacteria count elevates and the creek warnings are posted, the Ashland Creek Reservoir remains the hot spot for locals looking to cool down. . Leave a Comment: --> Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.