Locust Grove Nature Center

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Friends of Cabin John Creek has trained volunteers (Creek Keepers) to monitor water quality at several locations in the Cabin John Creek Watershed, a sub-watershed of the Potomac. Monitoring occurs every other week from June through mid-September. Parameters to be monitored include levels of E.Coli, pH, and temperature. The samples are processed by the Anacostia Riverkeeper water quality lab. The primary parameter of concern is E. coli, a fecal coliform. E. coli is measured in terms of the Most Probable Number /100 ml water and high levels are an indicator of fecal contamination by warm-blooded animals like dogs, birds, and mammals. The MD Primary Contact Water Quality Standards are as follows: * E. coli single sample value = 410 MPN/100mL * E. coli geometric mean = 126 MPN/100mL The Cabin John Creek is rated against these values. * PASS indicates the E. coli single sample value is less than or equal to 410 MPN/100mL. * FAIL indicates bacteria counts of over 410 MPN/100mL.