ROME– CRBI Swim Guide Week 11 results showed that all seven listed Weiss Lake-area recreation sites passed the latest water-quality testing.
CRBI released its Week 11 Swim Guide results Friday, July 31. Crews collected samples Thursday, July 30, from 29 swimming and boating locations across the upper Coosa River Basin.
Overall, 24 locations met the applicable E. coli water-quality guideline. Five sites failed to meet the guideline.
The passing locations included several popular boating, fishing, and recreation areas around Weiss Lake and Cherokee County.
Weiss Lake-Area Locations Pass Testing
The nearby locations receiving passing results were:
- Mud Creek Ramp
- Cobia Bridge Ramp
- Cedar Bluff Causeway
- Bay Springs Ramp
- Leesburg Highway Ramp
- Terrapin Creek Ramp
- Brushy Branch Ramp
Old River Road and Holland Chattoogaville Road also passed along CRBI’s West Route. However, Lyerly Dam received the route’s only failing result.
The findings provide encouraging news for people planning to visit Weiss Lake and nearby waterways. Still, CRBI stresses that the results represent water conditions when crews collected each sample.
Conditions can change quickly, especially following heavy rain or storms.
Five Locations Fail Across Upper Coosa Basin
Five of the 29 monitored sites failed to meet CRBI’s E. coli guideline:
- Lyerly Dam
- Joseph Vann Highway Ramp
- North River Street Ramp
- Highway 156 Boat Ramp
- Highway 113 Ramp
Three of the five failures occurred along CRBI’s Central Route. Those sites were Joseph Vann Highway Ramp, North River Street Ramp, and Highway 156 Boat Ramp.
The Highway 113 Ramp produced the only failure along the East Route. Meanwhile, Lyerly Dam recorded the only failure along the West Route.
The remaining East and Central Route locations passed the latest testing.
What a Failing Result Means
CRBI reports a failure when testing detects E. coli above the Environmental Protection Agency’s Beach Action Value of 235 most probable number per 100 milliliters.
At that level, the EPA estimates that more than 36 of every 1,000 swimmers could become ill. CRBI recommends avoiding water recreation at a location that receives a failing result.
A passing result means the sample remained within the EPA’s established guideline when crews tested the water. However, it does not guarantee that conditions will remain unchanged.
Heavy rain can wash bacteria and other contaminants from fields, streets, sidewalks, and other surfaces into natural waterways. As a result, bacteria levels can increase after CRBI collects its weekly samples.
CRBI advises residents to use additional caution following heavy rain or flooding. Water recreation is strongly discouraged during floods and storms.
Swimmers should also keep cuts and abrasions covered. Those areas should be cleaned promptly following contact with natural water.
Results Updated Each Friday
CRBI operates its Swim Guide program during the summer recreation season. Staff members collect samples each Thursday and generally publish the results Friday.
The program covers popular recreation areas from Weiss Lake to Lake Allatoona. Results help swimmers, boaters, anglers, and paddlers make informed decisions before entering the water.
The latest classifications and additional safety information are available through the CRBI Swim Guide. Individual sites can also be checked through CRBI’s browser-based Swim Guide listings.
Because the results can change from week to week, visitors should check the latest report before heading to the water.
Photo/graphic credit: Coosa River Basin Initiative
Recommended image use: SG3—the West Route graphic—is the strongest primary image because it highlights Weiss Lake and Cherokee County locations. SG4 works well beside the explanation of pass-and-fail classifications, while SG5 fits the safety section.
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