Deluge brought dangerous bacteria levels in many creeks this week; but weekend outlook more positive

A deluge on Tuesday brought lots of fecal material into our county waters and sky-high bacteria readings up and down many creeks and rivers. I hope you didn’t swim on Wednesday or Thursday.

The enterococci bacteria count at West River Center/Methodist Summer Camp on the West River, for instance, was 18,316 cfu. Greater than 104 cfu/100 ml are considered elevated bacteria levels, so the camp had levels 183 times what are considered safe. Many other swim areas had bacteria readings in the thousands.

The good news is the remainder of the week was dry, so by the weekend many of the high readings will most likely have dropped significantly.  Dry weather is expected to continue through the weekend.

Here are swim areas where elevated levels were found in tests this week (most testing was done Wednesday):

SEVERN RIVER

Carrollton Manor Sunset Beach – 194

Admiral Heights Williams Drive – 128

Annapolis Roads – 112

Bay Woods – 166

Oyster Harbor – 184

MAGOTHY RIVER

Beachwood Forest – 456

Dividing Creek – 320

Mill Creek – 1,356

Longview – 424

Magothy Manor – 300

SOUTH RIVER

Glen Isle – 290

Harbor Hills – 114

Hillsmere Shores -260

Londontowne Beach 5 – 1,558

Pine Whiff – 608

Selby – 348

Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary – 3,100

South River Park – 1,338

Wilelinor – 162

Shoreham Beach – 494

RHODES RIVER

High Island – 290

Cloverlea Community Beach – 254

Camp Letts – 1,764

Whitemarsh Community Dock and Beach – 2,144

Riverclub Community Dock and Beach – 798

Holly Hills – 722

Cadle Creek Community Dock – 1,094

Deep Beach/Rhode River Cove 1 – 832

Ponder Cover – 2,010 *

WEST RIVER

West River Sailing Club – 3,170

Westelee – 3,512

Avalon Shores – 5,700

West River Center/Methodist Summer Camp – 18,316

Galesville Pier – 3,648

West River Sailing Club – 367 *

 *Tested by AAC Health Department

Enterococci are bacteria that are found in the GI tract of warm-blooded animals, which includes all birds and mammals.  Their presence in surface water indicates recent contamination with fecal waste.  Counts are expressed as cfu or colony-forming units.    

Both the county health department and a network of volunteers test over 100 public beaches and other areas around the county for bacteria. The results from the county tests are put online here, and for the volunteer tests here for Severn and Magothy rivers, here for South River, and here for Rhode/West River.  All the sites listed above were tested by Watershed Stewards.

Rain washes human and animal waste from the landscape. For that reason, county and state officials warn residents not to swim or come into contact with water for 48 hours after a significant rain.

Bacteria that is ingested can cause an upset stomach. In some cases more harmful bacteria coming into contact with open wounds can cause serious infection.

Have fun, stay safe.