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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... Elevated bacteria levels prompt warnings for local creeks Comment By Local reports MailTribune.com By Local reports Posted Jul. 10, 2015 at 4:37 PM By Local reports Posted Jul. 10, 2015 at 4:37 PM » Social News High bacteria levels in Ashland Creek mean people should not bathe, swim or wade in the creek's water, Ashland Parks & Recreation announced Thursday. Bacteria and parasites are present in every open body of water at all times, the department said in a statement. Currently, there is an elevated level of E. coli bacteria and it is strongly recommended that no one wade, bathe or swim in Ashland Creek, or in the reservoir, both in Lithia Park. It is likely that Ashland Creek and the reservoir will remain closed for the remainder of the summer, or until the rainy season begins. Regardless of the recent rain, the bacterial levels are still elevated, which is common during warm weather. For further information, call Ashland Parks & Recreation at 541-488-5340, or the Jackson County Health Department at 541-774-8206. A similar warning about elevated bacteria levels in portions of Bear Creek and Neil Creek near Ashland were issued recently by the Rogue Valley Council of Governments. The advisory also covers Neil Creek east of Ashland as well as the stretch of Bear Creek between Lynn Newbry Park in Talent and Fern Valley Road near Phoenix. Advisories also have been issued by Rogue Valley Sewer Services warning of bacteria levels that exceeded state standards in Anderson, Coleman, Payne and Jackson creeks in Central Point. "We're seeing water-quality conditions that are poorer earlier than typical, something we normally don't see until June," says Greg Stabach, RVCOG's natural resources program coordinator. "Part of it has to do with the drought conditions." Routine water quality testing in these reaches showed bacteria levels exceeded state standards for human contact such as swimming or wading, according to RVCOG. No exact causes of the elevated bacteria levels were known, but they can range from animal and human waste to leaky septic systems. The creek water should not be ingested or allowed to contact open wounds as it could cause illness or infections, according to RVCOG. By Local reports MailTribune.com By Local reports Posted Jul. 10, 2015 at 4:37 PM » 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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 2015 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. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501