Shoal Creek Advisory for E. coli Contamination

Bob Kulp, Director of the Newton County Health Department, is quoted in The Joplin Globe, May 16, 2007, issuing a Health Advisory for Shoal Creek, due to elevated E. coli bacteria levels. The following E. coli colony readings were observed the week of May 7, 2007:
Walleye Bridge (at Barry County Line) 1,413 colonies per 100 milliliters
Route E Bridge (at Grandby) 173
Lime Kiln Bridge 980
Allen Bridge 238
Undercliff Campground 168
Tipton Ford Conservation Area 184
Redings Mill 139
Schermerhorn Park (south of Galena, KS) 20
[The State of Missouri uses a benchmark of 126 colonies per 100 milliliters of water to evaluate contamination in a body of water. In contrast, the Newton County and Lawrence County Health Departments use a standard of 235 E. coli colonies per 100 milliliters, when evaluating contamination.]