Watson Park/ Souhegan River: Swimming Advisory

NOTICE: JULY 27TH, 2016

WATSON PARK / SOUHEGAN RIVER: SWIMMING ADVISORY

High levels of bacteria were detected again this week in the Souhegan River at Watson Park during the weekly water quality test. As a result, the Town of Merrimack would like to advise all park visitors that the water is currently unsuitable for wading or swimming. This advisory is for Watson Park only.

An advisory is posted if either two or more samples collected at a beach exceed the state standard of 88 counts of E. coli per 100 milliliters (ml) of water OR when one sample exceeds 158 counts of E. coli per 100 ml of water. This week’s water quality test generated a result of 98.8 counts of E. coli per 100 ml of water.

Water quality tests will be conducted again on Tuesday, August 2nd with results expected on Wednesday, August 3rd. The advisory will be lifted once test result show acceptable water quality levels.

The Town of Merrimack conducts weekly water quality tests on the Souhegan River at Watson Park as well as on Naticook Lake at Wasserman Park during the months of June, July & August. All advisories for the State of NH are posted on the NH Dept of Environmental Services website at: www.des.nh.gov and there is a link on the left hand side labeled "Beach Advisory"

For questions, please contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 603-882-1046