NORTHEAST ALABAMA– Coosa Riverkeeper reported high E. coli levels at five recreation sites during Week 15 of its 2026 Swim Guide monitoring program.

Results dated Thursday, Aug. 27, cover 45 locations across the Coosa River watershed. Thirty-six sites had low bacteria levels, four had moderate levels, and five had high levels. The supplied Week 15 report lists the results by lake and tributary group.

Compared with WEIS News’ Week 13 report, the latest results show a slight decline in overall water quality. High classifications increased from four to five, moderate classifications rose from two to four, and low classifications fell from 39 to 36. (WEIS Radio)

Five Sites Show High Bacteria Levels

Coosa Riverkeeper reported high E. coli levels at Little Canoe Creek, Upper Choccolocco Creek, Coldwater Creek Park, Cheaha Creek, and North Fork Yellowleaf Creek.

Little Canoe Creek and Cheaha Creek remained in the high category from Week 13. Upper Choccolocco Creek, Coldwater Creek Park, and North Fork Yellowleaf Creek moved from low to high.

Highway 77 Boat Ramp showed improvement, moving from high in Week 13 to low in the latest results.

Four Locations Receive Moderate Classifications

Big Canoe Creek at Highway 231, Big Wills Creek, Yellow Leaf Creek, and Hatchet Creek at County Road 29 recorded moderate E. coli levels.

Big Wills Creek improved from high to moderate, while Big Canoe Creek at Highway 231 moved from low to moderate. Yellow Leaf Creek and Hatchet Creek at County Road 29 also moved from low to moderate.

Ten sites changed classifications compared with Week 13. Four improved, while six moved into a higher bacteria category.

Neely Henry Lake Results

Seven of the 10 Neely Henry area sites recorded low bacteria levels: Beaver Creek Slough, Lower Big Canoe Creek, Black Creek, Hokes Bluff Mill Pond, Jack L Ray Park, Southside Landing, and Ten Islands.

Big Canoe Creek at Highway 231 and Big Wills Creek recorded moderate levels. Little Canoe Creek received the area’s only high classification.

Logan Martin Lake Results

Nine of the 12 Logan Martin area sites recorded low bacteria levels: 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, and Birmingham Sailing Club.

Upper Choccolocco Creek, Coldwater Creek Park, and Cheaha Creek recorded high E. coli levels. No Logan Martin location received a moderate classification.

Lay Lake Results

Ten of the 11 Lay Lake sites recorded low bacteria levels: Kelly Creek, Glovers Point Park, Pop’s Place Boat Launch, Risers Park, Bulley Creek Slough, Beeswax Creek Park, Shelby Shores, Middle Lay Lake, Waxahatchee Creek, and Lay Dam Boat Ramp.

North Fork Yellowleaf Creek received the area’s only high classification. Kelly Creek and Risers Park both improved from moderate in Week 13 to low this week.

Lake Mitchell, Lake Jordan, and Tailwaters Results

Ten of the 12 sites in the Lake Mitchell, Lake Jordan, and tailwaters group recorded low bacteria levels: Walnut Creek, Higgins Ferry, Lower Lake Mitchell, Pennymotley Creek, Weoka Creek Slough, Jordan State Ramp, Rapids Road Ramp, Corn Creek Park, Bonners Point, and Upper Lake Jordan.

Yellow Leaf Creek and Hatchet Creek at County Road 29 recorded moderate levels. No location in the group received a high classification.

Understanding the Swim Guide Results

Coosa Riverkeeper classifies Swim Guide results as low, moderate, or high bacteria levels. The organization publishes weekly results to help residents make informed decisions before swimming.

Its latest Swim Guide reminders advise swimmers to wait 48 hours after rain, cover cuts, scrapes, and insect bites, and shower with soap after swimming. Conditions can also change after crews collect samples.

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.