Fairhope, Alabama
UPDATE: The June 1st water sample tested 68, well below the 104 max.
BACTERIA LEVELS NOW SAFE
Since no sanitary sewage overflows were reported by city utilities, evidence is mounting the large flock of Canada geese (click) that arrived recently as the likely main source of the high beach bacteria readings beginning late last week after heavy rain days before; bacteria living in the sand itself may be another source based on an Auburn University study five years ago.
The 637 (colonies/100ml of water) bacteria count sampled last Wednesday (May 24th) was the highest found since 2011 when 720 was measured (on June 9th of that year) according to historical data.
A resample Thursday (May 25th) found 245, still over the EPA limit of 104, so red warning signs were left posted over the holiday weekend.
By Tuesday (Monday was a holiday so nothing was done) levels had fallen to only 16 -- but increased to 80 Wednesday.
Results for the last sample taken June 1st have not been announced yet; it takes about 24 hours to perform the test.
(See the chart at bottom)
GEESE IMPLICATED BEFORE
In June of 2015 a citizen walking on nearby Magnolia Beach encountered what he thought to be human excrement -- and his viral video -- click -- and hype on social media caused an uproar; but testing proved it to be animal in origin (click).
A SEASONAL PROBLEM?
A Times reporter encountered large flocks of geese at both the Magnolia and Municipal Park beaches Thursday afternoon: about 120 in all and their substantial excrement.
Based upon the ADEM monitoring data and personal observation the bacteria problem peaks every May or June when the water warms and geese migrate; then subsides somewhat throughout the Summer.
Frequent mowing, keeping grass cut very short (less food) and collecting clippings (along with the poop) have been used by the city to address the problem; about two years ago a "goose laser" device was tested (it scares them away at night without doing harm - click).
In the Summer of 2008, the removal and euthanization of a number by the U.S. Wildlife Service caused another uproar and that has not been tried since -- click..
Some citizens have been very protective; see the geese as an attraction, enjoy feeding them and have even been known to give them names.
Canada Geese at Magnolia Beach Thursday |
BACTERIA LEVELS NOW SAFE
Since no sanitary sewage overflows were reported by city utilities, evidence is mounting the large flock of Canada geese (click) that arrived recently as the likely main source of the high beach bacteria readings beginning late last week after heavy rain days before; bacteria living in the sand itself may be another source based on an Auburn University study five years ago.
All clear now |
A resample Thursday (May 25th) found 245, still over the EPA limit of 104, so red warning signs were left posted over the holiday weekend.
By Tuesday (Monday was a holiday so nothing was done) levels had fallen to only 16 -- but increased to 80 Wednesday.
Results for the last sample taken June 1st have not been announced yet; it takes about 24 hours to perform the test.
(See the chart at bottom)
GEESE IMPLICATED BEFORE
Magnolia Beach Thursday |
In June of 2015 a citizen walking on nearby Magnolia Beach encountered what he thought to be human excrement -- and his viral video -- click -- and hype on social media caused an uproar; but testing proved it to be animal in origin (click).
A SEASONAL PROBLEM?
A Times reporter encountered large flocks of geese at both the Magnolia and Municipal Park beaches Thursday afternoon: about 120 in all and their substantial excrement.
"Fecal matter" at Municipal Beach |
Frequent mowing, keeping grass cut very short (less food) and collecting clippings (along with the poop) have been used by the city to address the problem; about two years ago a "goose laser" device was tested (it scares them away at night without doing harm - click).
In the Summer of 2008, the removal and euthanization of a number by the U.S. Wildlife Service caused another uproar and that has not been tried since -- click..
Some citizens have been very protective; see the geese as an attraction, enjoy feeding them and have even been known to give them names.
ADEM data as of 1AM Friday |
Thursday |
Comments
One thing I never do is put any body part in the water.
Anyone who would step a toe in that bay, eat fish from there or swim in that nasty water is a fool.
Also, I think that the city should raise the fees for those visitors who use the Fairhope beach. That money should be directly reinvested into cleaning the beach area. Dogs sound like a great idea to scare the geese to perhaps the other side of the bay. Just let us bring our dogs and let them run off leash for an hour or so each day and the geese will find a new place to hang out!
http://www.outdooralabama.com/september-honkers-early-canada-goose-season
How about instead if the city post signs notifying people that feeding the wild animals is not allowed and then the police actually do their jobs and patrol the park. Police should write tickets in the park to any one that litters, vandalizes benches and tables, or feeds the animals. Our parks are a mess, garbage strewn everywhere, people in cars drinking alcohol and doing drugs, without appropriate presence and much more proactive patrols by our Fairhope police force the parks will continue to get worse.
1 goose generates 1.0 - 1.5 lb. of droppings per day. Multiply that by +100 birds.
Yesterday, the beach was covered with it.