Source Information
James River Association manages the James River Watch program - a water quality monitoring initiative covering locations throughout the James watershed. Partners from across Virginia support and contribute valuable data to the program, including Rivanna Conservation Alliance, American Water, Virginia State University, Peninsula Master Naturalists, Twin River Outfitters, Riverside Outfitters, Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District and Appomattox River Company.
Water samples are collected and processed for fecal coliform bacteria, turbidity, air/water temperature, conductivity and salinity (at brackish water sites). Once bacteria results are available (approximately 24-hours after sample collection), results are immediately posted on the James River Watch website (www.jamesriverwatch.org) and on the Swim Guide to inform the public of river conditions.
Samples are collected every Thursday from May (Memorial Day) to September (Labor Day). A station is posted red if it exceeds safe swimming condition threholds for fecal coliform bacteria. The Virginia swimming standards are: >or= 235 cfu/100 mL (Freshwater stations); >or= 104 cfu/100mL (Brackish stations).
High bacteria levels and/or elevated river heights can trigger an unsafe notification at www.jamesriverwatch.org.
