Body Contact is NOT Recommended, 6/25/2008

The Jasper County Health Department has posted the results of their 06/25/2008 water quality testing at the La Russell Access point. Specifically, this is the number of Escherichia coli colonies per 100 milliliters of river water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that swimming and body contact is NOT recommended when the sample exceeds 235 E. coli colonies per 100 ml.

The 06/25/2008 test indicated 1299.7 E. coli colonies per 100 ml.,so swimming and body contact is NOT recommended.

For further information, contact:
Jasper County Health Department
105 Lincoln
Carthage, MO 64836
417/358-3111
417/358-0494 (fax)
moehra@lpha.dhss.mo.gov (e-mail)
877-879-9131 (toll free)
8:30 - 4:30 (hours)

What 5.6' Water Gage Looks Like

These pictures are taken at a USGS Water Gage height of 5.6'. Notice that the river is at the bank height (south side) and over the bank (north side) and flowing north-west direction. The actual La Russell Access Point is not visible.



You can see that the north side of the river in not assessable at 5.6'. There is erosion of the base rock evident around the bridge pier supports north of the river, due to flooding

New Vandalism (6/20/2008)

The La Russell Access Point was vandalized last night by one or more 4-wheel drive trucks. This time they drove off of the Highway U Road bridge embankment, and down the west side of the elevated roadbed. Damage was done to the embankment by the trucks' axle. [Click on photograph for close-up view]

One of the 4-wheel drive trucks left their tire print in the mud. Hopefully this photograph will help in the identification and prosecution of those responsible. Please don't vandalize the site!

Access Point Repairs Completed

La Russell Stream Team #2945 wants to thank the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDOC) Maintenance Team for coordinating repairs to the La Russell Access Point, following the March 19, 2008 flood. The parking area and driveway sustained substantial damage in the flood, resulting the the temporary closure of the La Russell Access Point. [View of driveway looking south from parking area]

The corrugated metal drainage culvert was damaged in the flood. MDOC completely removed the damaged culvert and replaced it with a modified French Drain, under the Access Point parking area. [View of La Russell Access Point parking area, looking north]

MDOC was successful in excavating (and recovering) the gravel that was washed off of the parking area and road way. The new parking area and driveway have already withstood their first and second first high water events (12.62' on June 13 and 8.27' in June 20, 2008). [View of area that is being drained by modified French Drain system]

Does Flooding Change Profile of Access Point?

Once again Spring River saw record high water levels, due to extraordinary precipitation in the area. The USGS water gage at La Russell increased from 3.57" on June 13, 2008 @ 6:15am to 12.62' on June 14th @ 2:30am. Rain fall amounts were reported between 3-4" of rain in the area on Friday, June 13th. This represented the 11th high water event this year on Spring River. [Click on graph for closeup view]

The flooding not only damages and destabilizes the riverbank and infrastructure, but prevents visitors and guests at the site from enjoying its natural beauty. The repetitive flooding leaves trash and debris on, and adjacent to the site. It creates erosion at the parking and actual access site. Do we need to rethink the basic infrastructure and design of the site to anticipate high water events continuing in the future.

Vandalism...again?

Due to flooding on March 18-19-20, 2008 the La Russell Access Point was temporarily closed, until repairs could be made. This was the Missouri Department of Conservation blockade, thrown in the ditch.



Both sign posts at the entrance to the Access Point have been vandalized. The posted signs have been stolen, and now, it appears someone has tried to break the wooden post off.







This is part of the damage resulting from the March 18-19-20, 2008 flood on Spring river. [Click on photograph for close-up of damage to the corrugated pipe]