Body Contact is NOT Recommended 08/26/2009

The Jasper County Health Department has posted the results of their 08/26/2009 water quality testing at the La Russell Access Point on Spring River. 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 Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) recommends a maximum of 126 E. coli colonies per 100 ml. as the limit for "recreational" swimming and whole body contact, annually between April 1 and October 31.

The 08/26/2009 test results (E. coli colonies per 100 ml) indicated a level of 298.7.

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)

La Russell-Bower's Mill Picnic, Sun. Sept 13th

The La Russell Stream Team No. 2945 has been invited to participate in the 29th annual La Russell-Bower's Mill Picnic, on Sunday, September 13th, beginning at 1:00 pm. We will be demonstrating Water Quality Monitoring Techniques, as well as providing 2009 historical information on bacteria and water chemistry data. Wear your Stream Team t-shirts and help out at our display.

SW Missouri Stream Team Summit

La Russell Stream Team #2945 has been invited to participate in the 1st SW Missouri Stream Team Summit, scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, 2009 in Joplin. It will be held at Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center, 201 W. Riveira Drive, Joplin, MO. 64804 (417-782-6287). It starts at 6:00 pm with a BBQ and the Missouri 20th Anniversary Stream Team video, follwed by open discussion regarding what the regional Stream Teams are doing, winding up at 8:00pm. If interested, we can car pool to Joplin. We need to RSVP.

High Water Event? (August 20, 2009)

We experienced a high water event last Thursday. Nothing, compared to the flooding that we endured last year, however. Reports in the area indicated precipitation in the 4-5" range. The river was at 1.54' on Wednesday at 1:54 pm and went to a high of 3.34' on Thursday at 2:30pm. Just for comparison purposes, here a link to last year's flooding.