OWML: Completed Projects

A previous project, involving the USGS, the University of Toledo (UT), and the Maumee Bay Bacteria Task Force, investigated the spatial distribution of Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination within Maumee Bay and the beach at Maumee Bay State Park (MBSP) (Francy and others, 2005). In this study, elevated E. coli concentrations in and around Berger Ditch implicated it as a principal source of E. coli to MBSP. (more)...

In Ohio, swim advisories are issued by beach managers if the previous day’s Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentration exceeds the single-sample bathing-water standard of 235 colonies per 100 milliliters (col/100 mL). Because water quality can change dramatically overnight, beach managers may issue advisories that cause unnecessary loss of valuable recreation access or allow swimming when conditions present an unacceptable level of risk. Predictive (more)...