NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — E. coli levels in the Chattahoochee River are dangerously high because of recent heavy rains.
A National Park Service health advisory is in effect for the Chattahoochee River at Paces Ferry Road and Medlock Bridge Road, two spots where E. coli counts are estimated to far exceed the recommended EPA level of 235.
On Wednesday, levels at the Medlock Bridge boat ramp were nearly four times higher than that.
Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Katie Walls says the number will remain high as long as the wet weather sticks around.
“When we get a heavy rain, it washes all the contaminants off the land surfaces and into the river, and we see elevated levels of bacteria after heavy rains and they generally subside shortly thereafter,” said Chattahoochee RiverKeeper Jason Ulseth.
Ulseth recommends that if you see muddy brown water, you should avoid contact with the river.
He says if you take the chance and go in, you should minimize your contact with the water.
“If you have open sores or cuts, keep those covered. Use lots of hand sanitizer and minimize your exposure to the water and use a lot of common sense,” Ulseth said.
Bacteria levels will remain elevated as long as there's rainfall and runoff flowing into the Chattahoochee.
“If the rain dries up, we'll see these bacteria levels taper off pretty quickly over the next day and a half,” he said.