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Ashland Creek closed to swimmers By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings The wading area near the Lithia Park children's playground now is off-limits after water tests revealed high levels of E. coli bacteria. Other areas of Ashland Creek also are closed due to contamination. Ashland Park and Recreation Department staff posted signs earlier this week at the wading area, park entrances, bridges and at other spots along the creek to warn the public about the conditions, according to interim parks superintendent Eric Setterberg. "The potential for disease is fairly low, but the reason for the warning is to advise parents especially to keep kids out of the creek or to wash after being in the creek," said Gary Stevens, program manager for the Jackson County Health and Human Services Department's Environmental Health Services. E. coli is a large family of bacteria that includes benign types found in humans and animals that aid digestion, and the variety sometimes found in hamburger that is life-threatening to children, according to Stevens. The high E. coli levels in Ashland Creek indicate the water is contaminated with fecal matter, and could contain anything from viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting to the Hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A is easily transmittable and causes inflammation of the liver, he said. Anybody who comes into contact with the creek water should thoroughly wash with soap and potable water, according to parks staff. Currently, the Granite Street Reservoir, a popular swimming hole upstream in Lithia Park, remains open. Parks staff are continuing to monitor water quality levels there and will take similar precautions if bacteria levels rise, according to parks staff. Ashland Creek, along with many other creeks in Jackson County, regularly tests positive for bacteria levels that exceed health standards during summer months. "It's not unusual with the higher temperatures and lower flows to have a higher potential increase for higher numbers of disease-causing bacteria and viruses," Stevens said. "It's not unusual to see water problems." The Rogue Valley Council of Governments last week put out a warning about elevated bacteria levels in lower Ashland Creek near the city's dog park. Neil and Butler Creeks at the north and south edges of Ashland also showed high bacteria levels. Possible causes of high bacteria levels include natural contamination from wildlife, leaking septic systems, livestock and pet waste, illegal dumping from portable toilets or recreational vehicles or any other activity that causes discharge of fecal material into creeks or storm drains, according to RVCOG staff. Failing septic systems should be reported to Jackson County Roads, Parks and Planning Services at 774-6900. Other sources of pollution should be reported to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at 776-6010. 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 -