NORTHEAST ALABAMA– Coosa Riverkeeper reported high E. coli levels at five recreation sites during Week 11 of its 2026 Swim Guide program.
The organization released results from samples collected Thursday, July 30. Of the 45 locations tested, 36 showed low E. coli levels, four showed moderate levels, and five showed high levels.
Overall, the Week 11 results showed a slight improvement from the previous week’s testing. Week 10 produced 34 low readings, four moderate readings, and six high readings among 44 locations with reported classifications.
However, Coosa Riverkeeper recommends avoiding swimming at any location with a high-bacteria classification.
Five Locations Receive High-Bacteria Classification
The five locations with high E. coli levels were:
- Big Canoe Creek at Highway 231
- Black Creek
- Cheaha Creek
- Risers Park
- Yellow Leaf Creek
Big Canoe Creek at Highway 231 recorded the highest E. coli level of the week at 980.4 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters of water.
Black Creek followed with a reading of 829.7. Cheaha Creek measured 426.9, while Risers Park recorded 411. Yellow Leaf Creek registered 266.8.
Coosa Riverkeeper classifies a location as having high E. coli when testing detects at least 235 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters. The organization recommends against swimming at that location at the time of the high reading.
Two High Readings Remain in Neely Henry Area
Two of the 10 Neely Henry Lake area locations received high classifications.
Big Canoe Creek at Highway 231 and Black Creek remained in the high category for a second consecutive week.
Meanwhile, Little Canoe Creek improved from high during Week 10 to moderate during Week 11. Lower Big Canoe Creek also received a moderate classification.
The six Neely Henry locations with low E. coli levels were:
- Beaver Creek Slough
- Big Wills Creek
- Hokes Bluff Mill Pond
- Jack L. Ray Park
- Southside Landing
- Ten Islands
The Neely Henry area produced two fewer low readings than the previous week. However, it also had one fewer high reading.
Cheaha Creek Records High Reading at Logan Martin
Cheaha Creek produced the only high E. coli reading among the 12 Logan Martin Lake area locations.
The location moved from a moderate classification during Week 10 to a high classification in the latest testing.
Highway 77 Boat Ramp received the area’s only moderate classification. It also registered a moderate result during Week 10.
Ten Logan Martin locations returned low readings:
- Upper Choccolocco Creek
- Coldwater Creek Park
- Lincoln Landing
- River Bend Boat Ramp
- Dye Creek Slough
- Pell City Lakeside Park
- Collins Bend
- Clear Creek Slough
- Logan Martin Dam Park
- Birmingham Sailing Club
Upper Choccolocco Creek showed one of the most notable week-to-week improvements. It moved from a high classification during Week 10 to a low classification in Week 11.
Coldwater Creek Park also improved from moderate to low.
Risers Park Moves into High Category at Lay Lake
Risers Park received the only high E. coli classification among the 11 Lay Lake locations.
The site had a moderate classification during the previous week. Its latest sample measured 411 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters.
Kelly Creek received a moderate classification after returning a low reading during Week 10.
Nine Lay Lake locations showed low bacteria levels:
- North Fork Yellowleaf Creek
- Glovers Point Park
- Pop’s Place Boat Launch
- Bulley Creek Slough
- Beeswax Creek Park
- Shelby Shores
- Middle Lay Lake
- Waxahatchee Creek
- Lay Dam Boat Ramp
The latest report included a low classification for Beeswax Creek Park. The Week 10 results did not provide a low, moderate, or high designation for that location.
Yellow Leaf Creek Remains High
Yellow Leaf Creek produced the only high E. coli result in the Lake Mitchell, Lake Jordan, and tailwaters section.
The site also received a high classification during Week 10.
The remaining 11 locations in that group showed low bacteria levels:
- Walnut Creek
- Higgins Ferry
- Lower Lake Mitchell
- Pennymotley Creek
- Hatchet Creek at County Road 29
- Weoka Creek Slough
- Jordan State Ramp
- Rapids Road Ramp
- Corn Creek Park
- Bonners Point
- Upper Lake Jordan
Corn Creek Park showed a notable improvement. It moved from a high classification during Week 10 to a low classification in Week 11.
No moderate readings appeared in that section of the latest report.
Understanding the Swim Guide Results
Coosa Riverkeeper uses a traffic-light system to help residents understand the weekly findings.
A green result indicates low E. coli levels at the time crews collected the sample. A yellow result represents moderate levels and calls for additional caution.
At moderate locations, Coosa Riverkeeper advises visitors to cover cuts and insect bites. Swimmers should also consider keeping their heads above water.
A red result indicates a high concentration of E. coli. Coosa Riverkeeper recommends avoiding swimming at that location at the time of the reading.
However, a green result does not mean a natural body of water carries no risk. Conditions can change between sampling periods.
The results only represent conditions at the exact location, date, and time crews collected each sample. Rain, runoff, pollution events, and changing water levels can cause bacteria concentrations to rise or fall.
Coosa Riverkeeper advises swimmers to use additional caution for several days following heavy rain. People with open cuts, scrapes, or irritated insect bites should also avoid contact with natural water.
Weekly Results Available Online and by Text
Coosa Riverkeeper conducts Swim Guide monitoring during the warm-weather recreation season. The program provides current information about bacteria levels at popular swimming, boating, and recreation locations across the Coosa River watershed.
Complete results and additional information are available through the Coosa Riverkeeper Swim Guide.
Residents can also receive weekly water-quality alerts by texting SWIMGUIDE to 205-526-4819.
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Six Coosa River Swim Guide Sites Show High E. Coli Levels in Week 10 Testing
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