Dataset

Mississippi Water Stewards

Dataset by Mississippi State University

Dataset summary

Observations

  • 6 June 2020

    Merit Water Park by Karen Felder

    Water testing at Merit Falls on Rials Creek resumed in June, 2020 following a three month absence. Today’s water tests showed 266 e coli colonies per 100 ml of water. Thus, Merit Falls is considered red/or unsafe under EPA Beach Action guidelines for recreational swimming. Some possible sources of fecal contamination include; agricultural runoff, wildlife that use the water as their natural habitat, runoff from areas contaminated with pet manure, wastewater treatment plants, and on-site septic systems. Heavy precipitation may cause these organisms to be washed into creeks, rivers, streams, lakes or ground water. Consumption of or contact with water contaminated with feces of warm-blooded animals can cause a variety of illnesses.

  • 4 June 2020

    Leake County Water Park by William W Mitchell

  • 29 February 2020

    D'Lo Water Park by Karen Felder

    This testing was done 10 days after the 2020 Winter Flood of the Pearl River. North, central and south Mississippi were impacted by heavy rainfall that saw many lakes and streams topping their banks. D’Lo Water Park on Strong River peaked at gauge 20 ft/5000 cfs and experienced some overbank flooding near the channel. There were no lasting effects of the record setting flood. Today’s water test showed 167 e coli per 100 ml. The lower the number of e coli present, the lower the probability of disease-causing microorganisms. Based on EPA guidelines, D’Lo Water Park is considered green/safe for recreational activities such as swimming, kayaking, etc. Note: A small patch of foam, usually harmless, was found near the launch entrance. This is common during fall and spring as plants/trees drop their leaves and aquatic plants begin to die back and decompose. However, excessive foam is sometimes the result of too much phosphorus in the water. Phosphorus is not found abundantly in nature and too much of it is indicative of pollution from human activities.

  • 29 February 2020

    Merit Water Park by Karen Felder

    This testing was done ten days after the 2020 winter flood of the Pearl River. North, central and south Mississippi were impacted by heavy rainfall that saw many streams topping their banks. Merit Water Park on Rials Creek sustained little to no lasting effects of the record setting flood. Today’s water test showed 33.33 e coli per 100 ml. The lower the number of e coli present, the lower the probability of disease-causing microorganisms. Thus, Merit Falls is considered green/or safe under EPA guidelines for recreational activities such as swimming.