Four Jackson County Creeks Exceed State Bacteria Standards
Routine, monthly water quality testing results indicate that the following creeks have exceeded state bacteria standards for contact recreation.
According to the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, the affected creeks include:
- Ashland Creek near Bear Creek Greenway (Ashland)
- Bear Creek between Blue Heron Park and Fern Valley Road (Phoenix)
- Griffin Creek near Beall Lane (Central Point)
- Jackson Creek at Dean Creek Road (Central Point)
Residents are asked to use caution when in contact with any waterways and especially to avoid ingestion and contact with open wounds. Very young children should be fully supervised when playing in the water to avoid swallowing the water. It is important to note that contact with any water body carries some level of risk.
Possible causes of high levels of bacteria in the creeks include pet waste, livestock waste, wild animals, leaking septic systems, illegal dumping from portable toilets or RVs, or any other activity that results in the discharge of fecal matter directly into creeks or through storm drains.
Citizens are asked to notify the appropriate agency of any concerns. Failing septic systems and other pollutants discharged into streams should be reported to the Department of Environmental Quality, 1-888-997-7888.
More information is available from RVCOG’s Natural Resources Department, visit http://rvcog.org/what-wedo/natural-resources/
Posted on 9/2/26 10:38AM by Alex Bauer
