FRBRECS11 Swannanoa River at KOA East Campground

Source Information

Every Thursday from May 21st to the end of August in 2026, volunteers from the Swannanoa Watershed Action Network (SWAN) and other community members obtain water quality samples at five publicly-accessible park sites along the Swannanoa River and Flat Creek. Samples are tested for levels of E. coli and turbidity by the lab at the NC Dept. of Environmental Quality in Swannanoa under a program through the Division of Water Resources. Weekly results are posted later in the week so you know where it's safe to swim, fish, and paddle on your weekend adventures. Results will be communicated through the Swim Guide mobile app and website. The Swim Guide page only posts results as related to primary contact exposure to E. coli. More detailed water quality information can be seen on Western North Carolina's NCDEQ Water Quality Program Dashboard page at: https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/locations/asheville-regional-office/western-nc-recreational-water-quality-monitoring-program. This NCDEQ page notes both primary and secondary contact levels for E coli exposure. The Swannanoa River is currently listed as impaired for fecal coliform bacteria under the state's stream standards. Currently, there is no water quality standard for E. coli in North Carolina; however, in 2022 NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provided recommended primary and secondary recreational values for all recreational waters in then state. 126 MPN/100 mL is being used to communicate whether an increased exposure risk may be present for primary recreational activities (swimming/snorkeling) and 886 MPN/100 mL for secondary recreational activities (kayaking, tubing, fishing) in Class B waters. A site will be marked in red on that beach site page when the results for that week exceed the primary recreational value of 126 MPN/100 mL and green when the most recent sample value is 126 MPN/100 mL or below. At this time, sites that exceed the secondary recreational activities level of 886 MPN/100 mL are not being flagged under this program. An exceedance of the primary or secondary value does not indicate a closure or advisory, but is meant to inform the public that there may be an increased risk based on current river conditions. It is always advisable for the public follow DHHS guidelines when recreating in natural waters. Anyone getting into the river should be aware that the results are preliminary and, while posted as soon as available, represent data that is a day old. These results should only be used as guidance when assessing exposure risk, as bacteria levels in the waters can change at any time. The lab at the NC Dept. of Environmental Quality utilizes the EPA-approved IDEXX method for collecting and analyzing water samples. Test results are expressed as Most Probable Number (MPN) of E. coli cfu (colony forming units) per 100 ml.