The water in Spa Creek is being tested in seven locations every Thursday morning, rain or shine, throughout the summer and twice monthly in September and October. The following water quality factors are among the values being tested:Spa Creek water is tested every Thursday morning at eleven locations on the creek. Red indicates unsafe swimming levels.
2018 begins the third year that there has been regular water testing on Spa Creek. May 3 was the first testing of the year and beginning May 24 the testing will be weekly. The map below shows all eleven sites being tested in 2018
2018 Water Testing
The map below indicates areas where water samples are taken on a weekly basis. Red indicates areas where bacteria levels are elevated and it is unsafe for swimming. The map is updated weekly.
September
We are switching to bi-weekly in September. Sample collection dates are September 13 and 27.
September 20
Sampling was delaying by a week because of impedending hurricane. Sept 20, no rain within the 48 hours prior to collecting samples, testing showed high bacteria levels at South Cherry Grove and the Chesapeake Children's Museum. Water temperatures are averaging 77 degrees F, which is lower than in August. pH is at the lower end of the normal range. Total Suspended Solids are at the higher end of the normal range.
August 30
First with the good news, for the first time ever water samples taken under the foot bridge at the end of So. Cherry Grove are within safe levels for enterococci. The site of the spill last week near the Children's Museum, remains at elevated levels (200 cfu/100ml) although substantially reduced. It appears that a boat may have dumped it's sewage tank since there were elevated levels of bacteria at the end of Cheston, which normally tests within safe levels.
August 23
There was a very distinct sewage odor at the footbridge that crosses Spa Creek between the Children's Museum and Bates. Test results showed that enterococci levels were at 20,250 cfu/100ml. Anything over 104 is consider unsafe. The City of Annapolis was called Friday August 24 and again on Monday, August 27. A "Sewage Overflow" sign was eventually posted. There are also signs of a fuel oil spill closer to Bates. The county has been notified of that.
August 9
Samples were taken Thursday morning after a relatively dry week. The only areas with elevated bacteria levels are at South Cherry Grove and the Chesapeake Children's Museum. Heavy rain is predicted for the weekend which will most likely elevate bacteria levels and make Spa Creek waters unsafe to swim in.
August 2
Water samples were taken in Spa Creek on Thursday morning, Aug 2, before the afternoon and evening thunderstorms. At that time only 2 sites had elevated bacteria levels: Chesapeake Children's Museum and South Cherry Grove. There are also changes to salinity, pH, total suspended solids and dissolved oxygen, but on the whole the results aren't as bad as the huge amounts of debris released from the Conowingo Dam and settling in Spa Creek lead us to believe.
July 26
Heavy rain over the last week and the creek has elevated levels of enterococci making the water unsafe to swim in.
June 21
Average water temperature is now 78.8 degrees. That's up nearly 6 degrees from last week. And the rain has made the more shallows areas of Spa Creek unsafe for swimming. Red points on the map below indicate unsafe levels of bacteria.
June 14
Average water temps in Spa Creek now at 73 degrees. Water samples taken on Thursday show unsafe levels of bacteria at the Children's Museum bridge and the footbridge at the end of So. Cherry Grove. Everywhere else tested within safe swimming range.
May 31
Samples taken before the rain. Anne Arundel County recommends staying out of the water for 48 hours after a rainfall.
May 24
High levels of bacteria in shallow areas of Spa Creek, including the Chesapeake Children's Museum, around Truxtun Park and Hawkins Cove and at the end of So. Cherry Grove. Water temperatures is now at an average 71.6 degrees.
2018 begins the third year that there has been regular water testing on Spa Creek. May 3 was the first testing of the year and beginning May 24 the testing will be weekly. The map below shows all eleven sites being tested in 2018, and the first time since testing began that enterococci levels are at acceptable levels at each testing site. The water temperature is averaging 60 degrees throughout the creek.
The 2017 fall testing scheduled, implemented in September, went from weekly testing to twice per month.
Bacteria Results
|
Fall 2017
all values listed in cfu/100ml
|
Enterococci
Safe Level
|
Sept 15 | Sept 28 | Oct 12 | Oct 26 | Nov 16 |
Nov 30 | |||
| Capital SUP | 104 cfu | 14 | 8 | 274 |
4 |
|||||
| Hawkins Cove (Truxtun) | 104 cfu | 20 | 50 | 20,740 | 80 | |||||
| Ches Children's Museum | 104 cfu | 750 | 450 | 17,350 | 200 | |||||
| South Cherry Grove | 104 cfu | 1,400 | 200 | 47,000 | 200 | |||||
| Silopanna | 104 cfu | 120 | 50 | 3,160 | 20 | |||||
| Ego Alley | 104 cfu | 134 | 68 | n/a | 4 | |||||
| EYC | 104 cfu | 18 | 10 | 32 | 6 |
|
Bacteria Results
August 2017
all values listed in cfu/100ml
|
Enterococci
Safe Level
|
Aug3 | Aug10 | Aug17 | Aug 24 | Aug31 |
| Capital SUP | 104 cfu | 20 | 28 | 14 | 576 |
32 |
| Hawkins Cove (Truxtun) | 104 cfu | 88 | 100 | 192 | 190 |
96 |
| Ches Children's Museum | 104 cfu | 800 | 400 | 900 | 550 |
1,600 |
| South Cherry Grove | 104 cfu | 1900 | 15,700 |
25,950 | 67,680 |
37,500 |
| Silopanna | 104 cfu | 52 | 160 |
72 | 50 | 60 |
| Ego Alley | 104 cfu | 6 | 32 | 30 | 18 | 42 |
| EYC | 104 cfu | 8 | 44 | 4 | 46 | 10 |
Aug 1: Restoration work began on the headwater section of Spa Creek that runs under the bridge at the end of S. Cherry Grove and may effect the results.
July 27: Bacteria levels climbing into unsafe levels around Truxtun Park. With heavy rain on the way stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after the rain stops.
July 20: The water temperature in Spa Creek is now at an average of 84.65 degrees F. This isn't surprising since we've all been smoldering in the heat but that's up nearly 2 degrees in the last week and could mean an increased chance for algae blooms. The water at South Cherry Grove and the Children's Museum has very high levels of unsafe bacteria. Stay out of the water in those two areas.
July 6: The only place with safe bacteria levels this week is at Capital SUP, all other areas are unsafe to swim in. After heavy rain on Thursday it is best to stay out of Spa Creek for at least 48 hours.
2017
|
Spa Creek Watershed
Bacteria Results 2017
all values listed in cfu/100ml
|
Enterococci
Safe Level
|
July 6* | July 13 | July 20 | July 27 |
| Capital SUP |
104 cfu |
20 cfu | 8 cfu | 4 cfu | 46 cfu |
| Hawkins Cove (Truxtun) | 104 cfu | 1,220 cfu | 80 cfu | 84 cfu | 200 cfu |
| Ches Children's Museum | 104 cfu | 560 cfu | 400 cfu | 7,700 cfu | 600 cfu |
| South Cherry Grove | 104 cfu | 5,050 cfu | 1950 cfu |
2,150 cfu | 1700 cfu |
| Silopanna | 104 cfu | 240 cfu | 40 cfu |
10 cfu | 110 cfu |
| Ego Alley | 104 cfu | 5,760 cfu | 6 cfu |
4 cfu | 36 cfu |
* indicates rain within 24 hours of collecting sample
June 29 results: The only spot with unsafe bacteria levels this week is at the footbridge at the end of South Cherry Grove. Clean up of trash and debris around the Children's Museum and Silopanna is nearly complete. It's a holiday weekend and warm temperatures, perfect for being on the water but remember, if it rains stay out of the water for 48 hours.
June 15 results: There are unsafe bacteria levels at the foot bridge near the Chesapeake Children's Museum, where phragmites removal is about completed, and at the end of South Cherry Grove. Total suspended solids (TSS) are too high at all locations, except So. Cherry Grove, to allow for subaquatic vegetation to grow and survive.
June 8 results: Unsafe bacteria levels in Hawkins Cove (across from the Truxtun boat ramp), Chesapeake Children's Museum and at the end of South Cherry Grove. The project to remove phragmites near the Children's Museum is likely the cause of increase enterococci levels at that location.
June 1 results: Bacteria levels are back within safe ranges except near the headwaters and Silopanna where work is being done to pull out phragmites and create swales upstream.
|
Spa Creek Watershed
Bacteria Results 2017
all values listed in cfu/100ml
|
Enterococci
Safe Level
|
June 1* | June 8 | June 15 | June 23 | June 29 |
| Capital SUP |
104 cfu |
28 cfu | 18 cfu | 16 cfu | 14 cfu | 16 cfu |
| Hawkins Cove (Truxtun) | 104 cfu | 50 cfu | 120 cfu | 20 cfu | 28 cfu | 28 cfu |
| Ches Children's Museum | 104 cfu | 28,500 cfu | 86,400 cfu | 47,500 cfu | 47,000 cfu | 100 cfu |
| South Cherry Grove | 104 cfu | 550 cfu | 250 cfu | 800 cfu | 1,200 cfu | 550 cfu |
| Silopanna | 104 cfu | 13,100 cfu | 50 cfu | 20 cfu | 5,506 cfu | 50 cfu |
| Ego Alley | 104 cfu | 20 cfu | 4 cfu | 10 cfu | 20 cfu | 4 cfu |
|
Spa Creek Watershed
Bacteria Results 2017
all values listed in cfu/100ml
|
Enterococci
Safe Level
Cutoff
|
May 11
Actual
|
May 25
Actual +
|
June 1
Actual *
|
Actual
|
| Capital SUP | 104 cfu | 4 cfu | 1,228 cfu | 28 cfu | |
| Hawkins Cove (Truxtun) |
104 cfu | 100 cfu | 33,200 cfu | 50 cfu | |
| Ches Children's Museum | 104 cfu | 420 cfu | 21,700 cfu |
28,500 cfu | |
| South Cherry Grove | 104 cfu | 650 cfu | 17,200 cfu |
550 cfu | |
| Silopanna | 104 cfu | 10 cfu | 2,520 cfu | 13,100 cfu | |
| Ego Alley |
104 cfu | 990 cfu | 6,800 cfu | 20 cfu |
Testing began on Thursday, May 11, 2017 and will continue weekly beginning May 25th. Results should be available on Friday afternoons.
Anne Arundel County, and many other agencies, recommend not swimming in the water for 48 hours after a rain event of 0.5 inches or more, especially for those that are immune-suppressed and those with open wounds.
Results show Enterococci levels, the bacterial measurement that is an indicator of fecal contamination (found in the gut of all warm-blooded mammals and a number of birds including geese and ducks).
+ Rain event within 24 hours of testing
++ Rain event within 48 hours of testing.
* Work being done near the Chesapeake Children's Museum site is underway
Fall 2016
Testing has moved from a weekly schedule to monthly for the fall and winter
Oct 13: No sample taken at Ego Alley because access was restricted due to the boat show. Chesapeake Children's Museum and South Cherry Grove had unsafe levels of enterococci.
| Testing Site |
Enterococci
Safe Level
Cutoff
values listed in cfu/100ml |
Oct 13
Actual+
values listed |
Actual
values listed |
Actual
values listed |
Actual
Values listed
in cfu/100ml
|
Actual
Values listed
in cfu/100ml
|
| Capital SUP | 104 cfu | 2 cfu | ||||
| Hawkins Cove (Truxtun) |
104 cfu | 50 cfu | ||||
| Ches Children's Museum | 104 cfu | 550 cfu | ||||
| South Cherry Grove | 104 cfu | 350 cfu | ||||
| Ego Alley |
104 cfu | No testing |
September 2016
| Testing Site |
Enterococci
Safe Level
Cutoff
values listed |
Sept 1
Actual+
values listed |
Sept 8
Actual
values listed |
Sept 15
Actual
values listed |
Sept 22
Actual
Values listed
in cfu/100ml
|
Sept 29
Actual
Values listed
in cfu/100ml
|
| Capital SUP | 104 cfu | 152 cfu+ | 2 cfu | 2 cfu | 6 cfu | 152 cfu+ |
| Hawkins Cove (Truxtun) |
104 cfu | 5,400 cfu+ | 50 cfu | 120 cfu | 100 cfu | 19,050 cfu+ |
| Ches Children's Museum | 104 cfu | 11,750 cfu+ | 900 cfu | 400 cfu | 260 cfu | 15,200 cfu+ |
| South Cherry Grove | 104 cfu | 7,150 cfu+ | 700 cfu | 1600 cfu | 750 cfu | 18,200 cfu+ |
| Ego Alley |
104 cfu | 36 cfu+ | 2 cfu | 6 cfu | 10 cfu | 2,280 cfu+ |
Sept 29: With heavy rains falling within 24 hours of collecting water samples, all of the sites showed very high and unsafe levels of enterococci. In addition pH levels dropped below what is considered healthy for marine life in our waterways. This is the last testing to be done on a weekly basis until next summer. Spa Creek Conservancy will now switch to bi-monthly testing. Check back to see what happens to the creek during colder seasons.
+ Rain event within 24 hours of testing
Sept 22: Safe swimming levels in Ego Alley, Capital SUP and Hawkins Cove.
Unsafe levels were measured at the end of South Cherry Grove Avenue in Annapolis, and at the bridge by the Chesapeake Children's Museum. The high limit for water that is regularly used for swimming is 104 cfu/100 ml.
+ Rain event within 24 hours of testing
++ Rain event within 48 hours of testing.
| Testing Site |
Enterococci
Safe Level
Cutoff
values listed in cfu/100ml |
Aug 4
Actual
values listed |
Aug 11
Actual
values listed |
Aug 18
Actual
values listed |
Aug 25
Actual
Values listed
in cfu/100ml
|
| Capital SUP | 104 cfu | 6 cfu | 4 cfu | 600 cfu+ |
4 cfu |
| Hawkins Cove (Truxtun) |
104 cfu | 50 cfu | 100 cfu | 3450 cfu+ | 20 cfu |
| Ches Children's Museum | 104 cfu | 340 cfu |
460 cfu |
5550 cfu+ |
1250 cfu |
| South Cherry Grove | 104 cfu | 1800 cfu |
1200 cfu |
7050 cfu+ |
3950 cfu |
| Ego Alley |
104 cfu | 4 cfu | 56 cfu | 96 cfu | 8 cfu |
The Total Suspended Solids (TSS) are 2 times higher in all parts of Spa Creek than what is needed for SAV growth and survival.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Hawkins Cove is near the levels where the cove area is considered very hypoxic. Dissolved oxygen is necessary for the survival of many marine animals.
pH levels at Hawkins Cove are also high and at levels that will not permit marine life.
| Testing Site |
Enterococci
Safe Level
Cutoff
values listed in cfu/100ml |
July 7
Actual
values listed |
July 14
Actual
values listed |
July 21
Actual
values listed |
July 28
Actual
values listed |
| Capital SUP | 104 cfu | 2 cfu | 220 cfu+ | 4 cfu++ | 6 cfu |
| Hawkins Cove (Truxtun) |
104 cfu | 40 cfu | 5520 cfu+ | 250 cfu ++ | 50 cfu |
| Ches Children's Museum | 104 cfu | 390 cfu |
2100 cfu+ | 100 cfu++ |
240 cfu |
| South Cherry Grove | 104 cfu |
1200 cfu |
2425 cfu+ | 1300 cfu++ | 1250 cfu |
| Ego Alley* |
104 cfu | 12 cfu | 10 cfu | 24 cfu | 34 cfu |
*(site added on June 30, 2016) testing done near Fleet Reserve
+ Rain event within 24 hours of testing
++ Rain event within 48 hours of testing
| Testing Site |
Enterococci
Safe Level Cutoff
values listed in cfu/100ml |
June 9, 2016
Actual Value
values listed |
June 16
Actual Value
values listed |
June 23
Actual Value
values listed |
June 30
Actual Value
values listed |
| Capital SUP | 104 cfu | 16 cfu | 4 cfu | 20 cfu++ | 4 cfu+ |
| Hawkins Cove (Truxtun) |
104 cfu | 20 cfu | 130 cfu | 1600 cfu++ | 300 cfu+ |
| Ches Children's Museum | 104 cfu | 220 cfu |
990 cfu | 650 cfu++ | 100 cfu+ |
| South Cherry Grove | 104 cfu |
1680 cfu |
400 cfu | 4750 cfu++ | 1700 cfu+ |
| Ego Alley* |
104 cfu | 50 cfu |
*(site added on June 30, 2016) testing done near Fleet Reserve
+ Rain event within 24 hours of testing
++ Rain event within 48 hours of testing