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75 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, August 4, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 23, 2004 Water quality standards still threaten use of waterways By MATTHEW HAULK for the Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Swimmers and waders should take advantage of Ashland Creek soon because if recent years’ trend continues, bacterial and viral contamination will close it to recreation. Each summer E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria levels exceed water quality standards in Bear Creek and many of its tributaries. Although these bacterial strains aren’t always dangerous to people, they indicate the presence of many other harmful pathogens, including viruses, other bacteria, protozoa and parasites, according to officials at the Rogue Valley Council of Governments. RVCOG issues seasonal warnings on area stream safety. The wide variety of factors influencing pathogen levels in Ashland Creek and other local waterways makes it tough to predict possible contamination each year. Factors that worsen the contamination risk include leaking septic systems, livestock waste, illegal dumping from portable toilets and RVs, and a slow summertime flow in Ashland Creek that concentrates the creek’s usual bacteria, according to RVCOG. "That’s why we do tests weekly," said Steve Gies, Ashland Parks and Recreation superintendent. Ashland Creek is of concern because it runs through Lithia Park and is easily accessible to small children at a man-made wading area near a popular playground. Advertisement The testing is done by Nielsen Research, of Medford. Ashland Parks and Recreation sends the results to the Jackson County Health Department for analysis. If dangerously high levels of E. coli or fecal coliform turn up, health officials order the city’s parks department to post signs warning the public of contamination. Neil Creek and Butler Creek in Ashland already exceed state and county standards for recreational use. Ashland Creek hasn’t yet tested above recreational safety standards this summer, Gies said. "It may not be necessary (to close the creek) this year," Gies said. "We may have enough snowpack to keep the river flowing." The creek could be contaminated between tests. Parents should supervise young children playing in any creek that remains open for use to prevent them from swallowing or mouthing water. Waders and swimmers should wash after coming into contact with Ashland Creek. Symptoms of exposure to contaminated water include ear, nose and throat infections; abdominal cramping; diarrhea; fever; and dehydration. Failing septic systems should be reported to Jackson County Roads, Parks and Planning Services at 774-6900; other pollution should be reported to the Department of Environmental Quality at 776- 6010. Warning spots The Rogue Valley Council of Governments currently lists the following local creeks as contaminated and unsafe for human contact: Medford: Larson and Lone Pine creeks Talent: Wagner Creek Central Point: Jackson and Griffin creeks. Phoenix: Payne and Coleman creeks. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times