Jasper County Health Department Stream Sample Results for LaRussell Access Point

The Joplin Globe, Friday, June 22, 2007, published the results of new water quality testing as determined by the Jasper County Health Department, May 24 through June 19, on twenty (20) sites thoughout Jasper County. The rivers and creeks being monitored are all part of the greater Spring River watershed. Those being monitored include: Turkey Creek, Center Creek, Spring River, North Fork Spring River, and Dry Fork. Tony Moehr, Jasper County Health Department Director, has assigned source identifiers for the 20 test sites.

The LaRussell Access Point on Spring River has been designated as Testing Site SR1. The Jasper County Health Department tested Site SR1 on May 24, May 30, June 5, June 13, and June 19, 2007. The test results (expressed in number of E.coli colonies per 100 milliter of river water sampled) were 114.5, 107.1, 517.2, 870.4 and 590.9, respectively. To put these in perspective, the US Environmental Protection Agency discourages body contact when E.coli bacteria colonies exceed 235 colonies per 100 ml. So of the five (5) samples, the bacteria was above recommended levels roughly 60% of the time.