321 Access Upper Gorge Park, Watauga River

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Swim Guide is a weekly program from Memorial Day-Labor Day that allows us to report E. coli bacteria levels on our local streams, rivers, and lakes. Every week from May to September, Watauga Riverkeeper staff, interns, and volunteers monitor water quality at sites across the Watauga, New, and Elk river watersheds. Weekly results are posted on Fridays so you know where it's safe to swim, fish, and paddle on your weekend adventures. Results will be communicated through the Swim Guide mobile app and website, as well as the Watauga Riverkeeper Facebook and Instagram pages. @mtntrue @wataugariverkeeper A beach is marked Green when single sample results are 126 MPN / 100 ML or below (More information below on safe swimming standard) A beach is marked Red when the results are 127 E. MPN / 100 ML and above A beach is marked Grey when there are no current results or a sample is missing that week. MountainTrue champions resilient forests, clean waters, and healthy communities in the Southern Blue Ridge. With a focus on science-based advocacy and grassroots engagement, we’re active in the Broad, French Broad, Green, Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, New, and Watauga River watersheds. MountainTrue is home to the Broad Riverkeeper, French Broad Riverkeeper, Green Riverkeeper, and Watauga Riverkeeper. Learn more at www.mountaintrue.org. There is currently no state water quality standard for E. coli in North Carolina; however, in 2022 NC Department of Health and Human Services provided recommended primary and secondary recreational values for all recreational waters. 126 MPN/100 mL is being used to communicate whether an increased exposure risk may be present for primary recreational activities (swimming/snorkeling) and 127-886 MPN/100 mL for secondary recreational activities (kayaking, tubing, fishing) in Class B waters. A site will be marked RED when the sample result exceeds the safe primary recreation standard, and GREEN when the sample is 126 or below (safe to Swim!). Any sample results above 886 MPN/100 mL folks are encouraged to be cautious, as there is an increased risk of contracting an enteric disease. All recreators should be aware results are preliminary and, while posted as soon as available, represent data that is a day old and should only be used as guidance when assessing exposure risk as bacteria levels can change at any time. MountainTrue utilizes the EPA-approved IDEXX method for collecting and analyzing water samples and test results are expressed as Most Probable Number (MPN) of E. coli cfu (colony forming units) per 100 ml.