The Etowah River User's Guide, a joint book project of Georgia River Network and CRBI, will be released May 1 by the University of Georgia Press. This 184-page on-river guide with waterproof pages features more than 150 color photos and a wealth of information about the Etowah. 
Some 60 acres of Oostanaula River floodplain and wetlands that could become Rome's Central Park are slated for conversion into a regional shopping center.
HELP WANTED! CRBI seeks an Executive Director with an established
track record of success in managing staff, fundraising and environmental
advocacy.Applications are now being accepted. Water Monitoring
Scroll down to view our Etowah River Bacteria Monitoring Data or Become a Georgia Adopt-A-Stream or Alabama Water Watch Water Monitor
About CRBI's Citizen Water Monitoring Program
Continuing a long tradition of active volunteer, citizen-based water monitoring, in 2010, CRBI and New Echota Rivers Alliance combined to submit more stream health reports to the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program than any other single group in the state. Together, we submitted 200 sets of data. CRBI participates in the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program and the Alabama Water Watch, program
Each year, CRBI trains dozens of citizens to monitor the streams in their neighborhoods. Through Georgia Adopt-A-Stream and Alabama Water Watch workshops, water monitoring volunteers learn both chemical and biological indicators of good stream health. With this knowledge, they can then use water monitoring kits provided by CRBI, to regularly test streams in their neighborhoods.
For information about our next water monitor training workshop, contact David Promis at 706-232-2724 or dpromis@coosa.org
Other Monitoring Programs
Bacteria Monitoring: CRBI also conducts bacteria monitoring in efforts to locate the sources of this pollution that spoils the use of our rivers and streams for swimming and fishing and poses a serious threat to human health.
Industrial and Municipal Sewage Treatment: CRBI monitors reports submitted to Georgia's Environmental Protection Division by dozens of municipal and industrial dischargers to our streams and rivers. These reports are reviewed to insure that these wastewater treatment facilities are not polluting our waterways.
Boat Patrols: CRBI conducts regular patrols of the Coosa, Oostanaula and Etowah rivers from our Yamaha-powered, G3 patrol boat, Arnemetia. These patrols allow us to keep an eye on the health of our rivers, identifying potential pollution problems, stream buffer violations, illegal dumping and other violations.
Etowah River Bacteria Levels Sept. 27, 2012
The geometric mean for our three testing sites on Sept. 27 was 83.9 cfu/100ml, below the EPA safe limit of 126 cfu/100 ml. The following are the results for our individual testing sites on Sept. 27:
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 87.6 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 80.9 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 83.6 cfu/100ml
Sept. 20, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 68.9 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 61.3 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 67.6 cfu/100ml
Sept. 13, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 45.7 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 48.7 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 77.1 cfu/100ml
Sept. 6, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 115.3 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 101.7cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 61.3 cfu/100ml
Aug. 30, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 123.6 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 83.3 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 146.7 cfu/100ml
Aug. 23, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 60.9 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 98.7 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 71.2 cfu/100ml
Aug. 16, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 34.1 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 54.4 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 45.9 cfu/100ml
Aug. 9, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 107.1 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 111.2 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 95.9 cfu/100ml
Aug. 2, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 35.5 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 71.2 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 47.3 cfu/100ml
July 26, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 38.3 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 56.5 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 56.3 cfu/100ml
July 19, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 35.0 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 33.1 cfy/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 41.4 cfu/100ml
July 5, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 108.6 cfu/100ml,
Grizzard Park near Rome: 113.7 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 69.7 cfu/100ml.
June 28, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 6.3 cfu/100ml,
Grizzard Park near Rome: 13.2 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 6.3 cfu/100ml.
June 21, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 86 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 59.1 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 38.3 cfu/100ml
June 14, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 50.4 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 98.7cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 101.7 cfu/100ml
June 7, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 62.7 cfu/100ml,
Grizzard Park near Rome: 28.1 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 48.7 cfu/100ml
May 31, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 49.5 cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 108.1 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 52 cfu/100ml.
May 24, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 38.9 cfu/100ml,
Grizzard Park near Rome: 98.7 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 60.9 cfu/100ml
May 10, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 39.3cfu/100ml
Grizzard Park near Rome: 104.3 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 42.3 cfu/100ml.
May 3, 2012
U.S. 411 near Kingston: 71.2 cfu/100ml,
Grizzard Park near Rome: 143.9 cfu/100ml
2nd Avenue in Rome: 143.9 cfu/100ml
2011 Etowah River Bacteria Monitoring Program
The results of the Coosa River Basin Initiative’s six-month-long bacteria monitoring program on the Etowah River confirm the connection between rain events and bacteria levels and confirm the river’s inclusion on the state’s list of polluted streams.
In what is the most comprehensive study of bacteria levels in the Etowah River in Floyd and Bartow counties to date, CRBI tested 81 water samples for e. coli bacteria between March and September. Each week, CRBI staff and Berry College Bonner Scholars collected and analyzed samples at the US 411 bridge near Kingston, at the Rome Bypass and at the 2nd Avenue Bridge in Rome.
Of the 27 sampling events, 24 showed the geometric mean e. coli bacteria level at the three sites below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “safe limit” of 126 cfu/100ml. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers e-coli levels below this limit safe for recreation, including swimming.
The three monitoring events that exceeded the safe limit were closely associated with rain events. The geometric mean exceeded the EPA standard on April 27 following a 2.5-inch rain; on July 6 after a one-inch rain and on Sept. 7 after a 3.5-inch rainfall. Bacteria levels in rivers usually increase following rainstorms as pollution washes off the surface of the land and into streams and rivers.
High bacteria levels in rivers can be attributed to manure from livestock, pets and wildlife, failing septic systems and leaking sewer lines, but the exact sources are often difficult to identify.
However, CRBI has identified at least three locations where cattle have direct access to the river—near Hardin Bridge upstream of US 411, near Dykes Creek upstream from the Rome Bypass and just downstream from the Rome bypass. The state recommends that farmers exclude cattle from rivers and streams, but there are no laws that require such practices.CRBI plans to continue the project next year during the Etowah River recreation season in an effort to provide information to river users about the safety of the river. Elevated bacteria levels indicate the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoans that make swimming in the river a health risk.
Below are graphs showing bacteria levels at our three testing locations, a graph showing the geometric mean of our three testing sites each week and a graph showing rain events during this time period.
2011 Etowah River E. coli Monitoring Data
04/12/11 water temp- 15C
Second Ave. 78.0 cfu/100 ml
Rome Bypass 93.3 cfu/100 ml
US 411 54.6 cfu/100 ml
04/19/11 water temp- 15C
Second Ave. 129.6 cfu/100 ml
Rome Bypass 131.4 cfu/100 ml
US 411 63.7 cfu/100 ml
04/27/11 water temp- 15C
Second Ave. 1046.2 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 686.7 cfu/100ml
US 411 40.2 cfu/100ml
05/3/11 water temp- 17C
Second Ave. 81.6 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 86.0 cfu/100ml
US 411 34.5 cfu/100ml
05/10/11 water temp- 20C
Second Ave. 83.3 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 120.1 cfu/100ml
US 411 68.9 cfu/100ml
05/17/11 water temp- 15C
Second Ave. 56.3 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 39.3 cfu/100ml
US 411 76.3 cfu/100ml
5/25/2011 water temp- 17C
Second Ave. 325.5 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 53.8 cfu/100ml
US 411 56.5 cfu/100ml
6/1/2011 water temp- 19C
Second Ave. 59.1 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 86.0 cfu/100ml
US 411 260.3 cfu/100ml
6/8/2011 water temp-23C
Second Ave. 32.3 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 34.5 cfu/100ml
US 411 79.4 cfu/100ml
6/15/2011 Water temp 22.3C
Second Ave. 40.4 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 25.0 cfu/100ml
US 411 46.7 cfu/100ml
6/23/2011 Water Temp 23 C
Second Ave. 58.3 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 37.3 cfu/100ml
US 411 66.3 cfu/100ml
6/30/2011 Water Temp 23.5 C
Second Ave. 55.6 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 37.9 cfu/100ml
US 411 59.1 cfu/100ml
7/6/2011
Second Ave. 64.4 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 78.4 cfu/100ml
US 411 344.1 cfu/100ml
7/14/2011
Second Ave. 45.0 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 45.0 cfu/100ml
US 411 73.8 cfu/100ml
7/20/2011 Water Temp. 25 C
Second Ave. 39.9 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 55.6 cfu/100ml
US 411 137.2 cfu/100ml
7/27/2011 Water Temp. 23.5 C
Second Ave. 60.2 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 42.8 cfu/100ml
US 411 64.5 cfu/100ml
8/3/2011 Water Temp. 23.5 C
Second Ave. 53.8 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 59.4 cfu/100ml
US 411 48.7 cfu/100ml
8/10/2011 Water Temp. 23
Second Ave. 48 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 24.6 cfu/100ml
US 411 48.9 cfu/100ml
8/17//2011 Water Temp. 23
Second Ave. 51.2 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 25.9 cfu/100ml
US 411 57.3 cfu/100ml
8/24//2011 Water Temp. 24
Second Ave. 47.3 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 52.9 cfu/100ml
US 411 128.7 cfu/100ml
8/31//2011 Water Temp. 24
Second Ave. 44.6 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 52.8 cfu/100ml
US 411 52.0 cfu/100ml
09/7/11 Water Temp. 22C
Second Ave. 436 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 101.2 cfu/100ml
US 411 125.9 cfu/100ml
09/14/11 Water Temp. 25C
Second Ave. 72.8 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 69.7 cfu/100ml
US 411 77.6 cfu/100ml
09/20/11 Water Temp. 25C
Second Ave. 50.4 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 24.6 cfu/100ml
US 411 13.5 cfu/100ml
09/27/11 Water Temp. 23.5 C
Second Ave. 71.1 cfu/100ml
Rome Bypass 71.2 cfu/100ml
US 411 86 cfu/100ml
