NORTHEAST ALABAMA– Coosa Riverkeeper reported high E. coli levels at six recreation sites during Week 12 of its 2026 Swim Guide monitoring program.
The results, dated Thursday, Aug. 6, include classifications for 44 locations. Thirty-three sites had low bacteria levels, five had moderate levels, and six had high levels.
Compared with the Week 11 results, the latest report contains one more high classification and one more moderate classification. The number of low results fell from 36 to 33.
Six Sites Receive High-Bacteria Classifications
Coosa Riverkeeper reported high E. coli levels at the following locations:
- Little Canoe Creek
- Hokes Bluff Mill Pond
- Jack L Ray Park
- Coldwater Creek Park
- Cheaha Creek
- Risers Park
Cheaha Creek and Risers Park remained in the high category for a second consecutive week.
Little Canoe Creek moved from moderate to high. Hokes Bluff Mill Pond, Jack L Ray Park, and Coldwater Creek Park moved from low to high.
Coosa Riverkeeper recommends avoiding swimming at locations with high bacteria levels at the time of testing.
Five Locations Show Moderate Bacteria Levels
The five sites with moderate E. coli levels were:
- Big Canoe Creek at Highway 231
- Big Wills Creek
- Black Creek
- Kelly Creek
- Yellow Leaf Creek
Big Canoe Creek, Black Creek, and Yellow Leaf Creek moved from high to moderate. Big Wills Creek moved from low to moderate, while Kelly Creek remained moderate.
Coosa Riverkeeper advises visitors to use additional caution at moderate locations. Swimmers should cover cuts and insect bites and consider keeping their heads above water.
Neely Henry Lake Results
Four Neely Henry Lake locations returned low bacteria readings:
- Beaver Creek Slough
- Lower Big Canoe Creek
- Southside Landing
- Ten Islands
Big Canoe Creek, Big Wills Creek, and Black Creek received moderate classifications. Little Canoe Creek, Hokes Bluff Mill Pond, and Jack L Ray Park received high classifications.
Logan Martin Lake Results
Ten Logan Martin Lake locations showed low E. coli levels:
- Upper Choccolocco Creek
- Highway 77 Boat Ramp
- 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
Coldwater Creek Park and Cheaha Creek received high classifications. No Logan Martin location had a moderate result.
Lay Lake Results
Nine Lay Lake locations recorded low bacteria levels:
- North Fork Yellowleaf Creek
- Glovers Point Park
- Pop’s Place Boat Launch
- Bulley Creek Slough
- Beeswax Creek Park
- Middle Lay Lake
- Waxahatchee Creek
- Lay Dam Boat Ramp
The Week 12 release did not provide a classification for Shelby Shores.
Kelly Creek received a moderate classification, while Risers Park had a high result.
Lake Mitchell, Lake Jordan, and Tailwaters Results
Ten locations in the Lake Mitchell, Lake Jordan, and tailwaters 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
Yellow Leaf Creek received the group’s only moderate classification. No high bacteria levels were reported in that section.
Low Dissolved Oxygen Alert Issued
Coosa Riverkeeper also reported low dissolved oxygen levels at multiple sites along the Coosa River. The release did not identify the individual locations.
The organization asked residents to photograph any fish kill involving multiple fish and report it immediately to one of the following:
- Coosa Riverkeeper at 205-981-6565
- Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at 1-800-272-4263
- Alabama Power Shorelines Management at 205-257-2599
Swim Guide results only represent conditions at the location, date, and time each sample was collected. Water conditions can change between sampling periods, especially following rainfall.
Complete results are available through the Coosa Riverkeeper Swim Guide. Residents can also receive weekly alerts by texting SWIMGUIDE to 205-526-4819.
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