JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – Residents in the Bear Creek Basin are urged to exercise caution when interacting with local waterways.
According to the Rogue Valley Council of Governments (RVCOG), recent water quality tests show that several creeks have surpassed state bacteria standards for recreational contact. The affected creeks include:
- Walker Creek at Dead Indian Memorial Road in Ashland
- Bear Creek from Suncrest Road in Talent to Fern Valley Road in Phoenix
- Jackson Creek from Beall Lane to Dean Creek Road in Jacksonville/Central Point
- Griffin Creek at Interstate 5 in Central Point
Residents are advised to avoid ingesting water from these creeks and to keep open wounds from coming into contact with the water. Very young children should be closely supervised to prevent swallowing water.
Potential causes for the high bacteria levels include pet and livestock waste, wild animals and leaking septic systems. Illegal dumping from portable toilets or RVs may also contribute.
Community members are encouraged to report failing septic systems and pollution to the Department of Environmental Quality via their hotline or website. For questions about creek testing, contact Amie Siedlecki at (541) 423-1371 or Greg Stabach at (541) 423-1370 from RVCOG’s Natural Resources Department.
To help maintain water quality, residents should clean up after pets and ensure waste materials are kept away from creeks and storm drains. Additionally, failing septic systems should be inspected and repaired, and toddlers should wear swim diapers when playing in water.
Further information can be found on RVCOG’s website, the Stream Smart’s Monitoring Water Quality in the Rogue Basin webpage, and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s site.
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