CRBI reported eight failing locations across the upper Coosa River Basin in its latest weekly Swim Guide results.
ROME, Ga. — Six Weiss Lake-area recreation sites passed the latest weekly water-quality testing. However, Terrapin Creek Boat Ramp recorded a failing result.
The Coosa River Basin Initiative released its Week 12 Swim Guide results Friday, Aug. 7. Crews collected samples Thursday, Aug. 6, at 29 recreation sites across the upper Coosa River Basin.
Overall, 21 locations met CRBI’s E. coli guideline. Eight locations failed to meet the guideline.
Six Weiss Lake-Area Sites Pass
The six nearby locations receiving passing results were:
- Mud Creek Ramp — 7.4 MPN
- Cobia Bridge Ramp — 11.2 MPN
- Cedar Bluff Causeway — 1.0 MPN
- Bay Springs Ramp — 6.1 MPN
- Leesburg Landing — 2.0 MPN
- Brushy Branch Ramp — 13.2 MPN
MPN means “most probable number.” CRBI reports the results as MPN per 100 milliliters of water.
Meanwhile, Terrapin Creek Boat Ramp produced a result of 648.8 MPN. That level exceeded CRBI’s failure mark of 235 MPN per 100 milliliters.
By comparison, Terrapin Creek passed the previous week’s testing. The site recorded the only failing result among the seven listed Weiss Lake-area locations this week.
In addition, Old River Road Ramp and Holland Chattoogaville Road Ramp passed along CRBI’s West Route. However, Lyerly Dam Ramp failed with a result of 435.2 MPN.
Eight Locations Fail Across Upper Coosa Basin
Across all three routes, eight locations exceeded CRBI’s E. coli guideline:
- West Route: Terrapin Creek Boat Ramp — 648.8 MPN
- West Route: Lyerly Dam Ramp — 435.2 MPN
- Central Route: Joseph Vann Highway Ramp — 1,046.2 MPN
- Central Route: North River Street Ramp — 307.6 MPN
- East Route: Euharlee Road Etowah Boat Ramp — 410.6 MPN
- East Route: Hardin Bridge Boat Ramp — 488.4 MPN
- East Route: Highway 113 Canoe/Kayak Launch — 461.1 MPN
- East Route: Neel’s Landing on U.S. 411 — 1,413.6 MPN
The West Route finished with eight passing sites and two failures. Likewise, the Central Route recorded seven passes and two failures.
The East Route had six passing locations and four failures. Altogether, the East Route accounted for half of this week’s failing results.
Still, the remaining monitored locations met the guideline when crews collected their samples.
What a Failing Result Means
CRBI reports a failure when E. coli rises above 235 MPN per 100 milliliters.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency uses that Beach Action Value as a public-health guide. At this level, the EPA estimates that more than 36 out of every 1,000 swimmers could become ill.
Therefore, CRBI advises visitors to use extra caution or avoid a red location.
A passing result means the sample remained below the guideline during testing. However, a passing result does not guarantee that a site remains safe or risk-free.
Heavy rain can carry bacteria from streets, fields and other surfaces into waterways. As a result, water conditions can change after CRBI collects a sample.
CRBI also notes that E. coli serves as one sign of possible contamination. The program does not test for every possible water hazard.
In addition, visitors should consider currents, weather, underwater hazards and harmful algal blooms. They should also follow posted warnings and local safety rules.
CRBI Updates Results Weekly
CRBI operates its Swim Guide program from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Crews collect samples on Thursdays and generally publish results on Fridays.
The program covers recreation areas from Weiss Lake to Lake Allatoona. Finally, the weekly results help swimmers, boaters, anglers and paddlers plan their trips.
Because conditions change, visitors should check the newest results before entering the water. They can find current classifications and safety information through CRBI’s Swim Guide or the browser-based Swim Guide listings.
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