How’s the river doing?It’s
a question James River Association staff receive all the time. The
answer is not always clear for the average person. But as the weather
warms and more people are outside enjoying the river, it’s
important that communities understand how to stay safe on the water.
One rule of thumb can help tremendously
– don’t swim after a rain. E. coli bacteria is a common pollutant
that people may encounter in the river after rainstorms. Whether it’s
from humans, pets, or farms – stormwater runoff carries fecal waste
into our waterways and can pose a significant risk to recreational
river users. Higher levels of E. Coli mean a higher presence of
pathogens that can make people sick.
Enter the James River Watch.
JRA launched the James
River Watch online platform to help update the public with the
latest water quality conditions. E. Coli bacteria data is posted each
Friday to reveal whether conditions meet state standards for
recreational contact. And the website pulls in real time data from
multiple sources, presenting when water levels are too high or too
low for paddling or swimming. The James River Watch is an easy way
to track river conditions and to be safe when planning your river
trips.
Visit www.jamesriverwatch.org
to view the latest information, or download the SwimGuide
app.
Getting Involved.
More than 90 volunteers were trained
and certified this year to lead water testing at 26 locations across
the watershed. Volunteers are collecting invaluable data to help
inform the public about the risks associated with bacteria pollution.
In addition to tracking this information, we need your help to tackle
the immense challenge of stormwater runoff pollution. There are
plenty of small steps citizens can take to reduce pollution – you
can commit to planting trees and vegetation at home that will soak up
stormwater, or installing a rain barrel, or picking up pet waste.
Many in communities along the James River have already made these
kinds of commitments as a part of JRA’s
River Hero program. These small steps do make a difference.
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