STREAM HEALTH INFO

The water in the City of Harrisonburg’s streams and tributaries are “impaired,” meaning that they are contaminated with fecal coliform bacteria and elevated sediment levels.  66% of Harrisonburg’s stormwater flows into Blacks Run, which runs for 8-miles through city limits, making it highly susceptible to urban impact. The remaining stormwater flows into Cooks Creek and Smith Creek.  These streams suffer from too much bacteria and other contaminates which make them unsafe for people to perform recreational activities.  Additionally these same Chesapeake Bay tributaries have extreme sedimentation levels from urbanization, as well as, virtually zero riparian buffer in certain areas.

Through efforts and partnerships between the city, local agencies and organizations, and citizens like you, monitoring reports have shown that Blacks Run has improved in health. However, there is still much more to do and the streams need your help.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

 If you or your group is interested in volunteering with a stream clean up or planting project, please contact Justin Showalter, Stream Health Coordinator, at (540) 437-1258 or justin.showalter(at)ci.harrisonburg.va.us.

LEARN MORE 

To learn more about Blacks Run and local water quality issues, and what else you can do to help, or to register for Blacks Run/Downtown Clean Up Day visit, www.cleanstream.org.

Blacks Run Clean Up Day flier [144 KB]

To check out the Purcell Park Easement Project, see our portfolio [1762 KB].