News & Updates All »
BRIDGE CLOSURE: INDIANA AVENUE
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
The Indiana Avenue bridge just north of Wilden Avenue will be closed from August 2 through August 6 to allow to seal the coat of the deck. The dates are weather permitting, and it is not anticipated for the work to take the whole week. more
Notice of Adoption of Ordinance 5090, County Road 36 Annexation
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Ordinance 5090, County Road 36 Annexation, was passed by the Goshen Common Council on July 20,2021 and approved and adopted by Mayor Jeremy P. Stutsman. The annexation area consists ofapproximately 163 acres of real estate generally located along both the north and south sides of CountyRoad 36, west... more
ROAD CLOSURES: WEEK OF JULY 19
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
COLONIAL MANOR DRIVE: Colonial Manor Drive is closed between Bashor Road and William Drive until Friday, July 23 (weather dependent) to allow a full depth asphalt road replacement on the road. The road is closed except to local residents. 16TH STREET: 16th Street, between Fairfield Avenue and... more
Upcoming Events All »
Board of Works & Safety & Stormwater Board
Monday, August 2, 2021, 2:00pm
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88677698824 Or Telephone: (301) 715-8592 or 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 886 7769 8824 Dial *9 to "raise hand" and speak during public comment
City Council meeting
Tuesday, August 3, 2021, 6:00pm
To view a live stream of this meeting, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83525446373 or call (312) 626-6799 or (929) 205-6099 and dial the meeting ID: 835 2544 6373. To speak during the public meeting, the public should use the “raise hand” feature on meeting or dial *9 if calling on the telephone.
Board of Works & Safety & Stormwater Board
Monday, August 9, 2021, 2:00pm
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88677698824 Or Telephone: (301) 715-8592 or 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 886 7769 8824 Dial *9 to "raise hand" and speak during public comment
Water Quality Data
Since 2008 Elkhart County and the City of Goshen have conducted research into the pollution levels of the waterways in Elkhart County. Water samples are taken on a regular basis from the Elkhart and St. Joseph Rivers, along with several local lakes and a selection of streams and canals which flow into one or both rivers. A full list of sampling sites can be found here.
Understanding Water Quality Indicators
Samples are analyzed for various indicators of water quality, including E. coli content, suspended sediment, chemicals from fertilizer runoff, pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. Unnatural levels of suspended sediment, industrial chemicals, dissolved oxygen, temperatures, and pH can directly affect the ability of fish and other aquatic life to breathe, feed, and reproduce. Excess fertilizers specifically can cause harmful algal blooms, which you can read more about here. E. coli is a bacterium which can cause abdominal infections when ingested and usually enters waterways in stormwater containing fecal matter. While it does not generally hurt aquatic life, the presence of too much E. coli can make a body of water unsafe for human contact due to the risk of infection from even a small dose.
Sites are sampled at least 3 years in a row to identify trends in these water quality indicators. These trends are useful to identify high risk bodies of water with elevated levels of a pollutant or unnatural and unhealthy levels of dissolved oxygen, pH, or temperature. Once identified, these waterways can be prioritized for needed intervention. Monitoring trends also allows us to document the success or failure of programs to improve water quality and can suggest a shift in strategy if results are not seen.
Our Water
Many waterways in Elkhart County contain elevated levels of E. coli. The Elkhart River regularly tests above safe levels and most of its tributaries contain even higher levels, with the exception of Christiana Creek. For this reason, it is not recommended to swim in the Elkhart River or its tributaries after a heavy rainfall, when E. coli levels are highest. Outside of these times, showering after swimming is recommended to wash off potential residual contaminants. Heaton Lake and Simonton Lake also contain somewhat elevated levels of E. coli but are usually within safe limits and are regularly used for recreation.
Exact levels of E. coli in each waterway naturally vary from day to day and year to year, depending on rainfall and other factors. However, there has been no sustained decrease in E. coli levels since sampling began.
Raw data is provided for each year along with graphs and reports when available. Note: most of the data and graphs are also provided in an appendix of that year's report.