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Warnings issued for creek bacteria Staff reports Rogue Valley Council of Government officials once again are warning residents to avoid contact with certain creeks due to high bacteria levels. Ashland Creek just above its confluence with Bear Creek near the Ashland Dog Park, as well as Neil and Butler creeks near Ashland, are among the creeks with bacteria levels that exceed county and state water quality standards. Test results for bacteria frequently are high for area creeks during the summer as water levels decline and temperatures rise. Residents are advised to use caution when in contact with listed waterways and to avoid contact with open wounds, which may cause infection, or swallowing affected water, which cause illness. Young children should be closely supervised when playing near water to avoid mouthing or swallowing water. Other infected creeks include Wagner Creek in Talent; Bear Creek from Talent to Phoenix; Coleman and Payne creeks in Phoenix; Larson and Lone Pine creeks in Medford and Jackson and Griffin creeks in Central Point. Possible causes of high levels of bacteria include natural contamination from wild birds and animals, livestock and pet wastes, leaking septic systems, illegal dumping from portable toilets or recreational vehicles or any other activity that results in discharge of fecal matter directly into creeks or through storm drains. Failing septic systems should be reported to Jackson County Roads, Parks and Planning Services at 774-6900. Other pollutant discharge should be reported to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at 776-6010. Gary Stevens of Jackson County Health and Human Services can answer health-related questions and can be reached at 774-8206. For information on which creeks are tested, call Greg Stabach or Allison Dew at RVCOG at 664-6676, exts. 219 or 212, respectively. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -