Did you know all state park swimming beaches are checked for E.coli every four weeks during the summer swimming season?

State Park District Resource Managers, or their staff, collect water samples based on procedures supplied by the Virginia Department of Health. Samples are collected from the left side, the center, and the right side of the swimming beach.

Samples are taken from the same locations every time, to track long term water quality trends. Samples are stored on ice and are transported to Blacksburg where a laboratory tests them.

As you can see on the illustration, Smith Mountain Lake State Park, for example, has had exceptionally low test results for more than a year.

While all natural waters contain algae, bacteria and microbiological organisms, water flow, temperature, and especially runoff and dumping can influence how many and what organisms are present.

Many things can lead to increased E.coli in natural water – boat discharges, storm water runoff, or waste from humans, pets, livestock, and even ducks and geese.

Your safety is our number 1 concern when you visit a Virginia State Park

Regular water testing helps to minimize public exposure to harmful bacteria.

If pollution is high – especially after heavy rainfall, when bacteria washes from the land into the water, Virginia State Parks, like other government agencies across the state, close public access to rivers, lakes, and streams.

Public awareness of water quality is the best way to avoid harmful bacteria when swimming in a lake or river. You can look for pollutants in the water before you get in.

Don’t swim in water that looks stagnant or smells bad. Try to avoid swallowing river or lake water or swimming in the days after a heavy rainfall.

Follow these simple suggestions around natural water and you’ll increase your chances of staying safe and having fun.