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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Teacher's Tips: Leave time to just plain play this summer ... 22 hurt in rollover of shuttle bus ... Ticket availability ... Teacher's Tips: Leave time to just plain play this summer ... 22 hurt in rollover of shuttle bus ... Ticket availability ... WATER QUALITY Bacteria levels spike in parts of Bear Creek Basin Comment By Mark Freeman For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Mark Freeman For the Tidings Posted Jun. 27, 2016 at 9:33 AM By Mark Freeman For the Tidings Posted Jun. 27, 2016 at 9:33 AM » Social News The end of June is bringing with it the first of what is expected to be many water-quality alerts about unhealthy levels of bacteria in portions of the Bear Creek Basin, which is Southern Oregon's most urban stream system. Rogue Valley Council of Governments water tests show bacteria levels that exceed state and federal standards for safe swimming and wading at Blue Heron Park in Phoenix as well as Jackson Creek at Dean Creek Road, Neil Creek and Walker Creek. People are asked to use caution when in contact with any waterways within the basin, and to avoid ingestion of the water, but the alerts are voluntary, and there are no closures despite Bear Creek's reputation for poor water quality. "I think people wade in it and have more contact with it than you'd think," says Greg Stabach from RVCOG's natural resources department. "It's not going to kill you," Stabach says. "But I wouldn't go in with open wounds, and certainly wash off if you do get in Bear Creek." RVCOG tests water in Bear Creek and several tributaries monthly, and more creeks and stretches of creeks are expected to be added monthly through the summer, Stabach says. "It's pretty standard that once the weather gets hotter, stream levels drop and bacteria levels increase," Stabach says. Sources can vary widely, but irrigation water flowing over fields with manure piles on them are common sources of bacteria, as are failing septic systems. Other common sources are rain events that flush raccoon excrement out of storm drains, illegal dumping of RV waste, not cleaning up after pets and throwing pet waste into creeks or irrigation canals. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Mark Freeman For the Tidings Posted Jun. 27, 2016 at 9:33 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501