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.

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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.

2016 Sampling Sites Map

All Sampling Sites and Years

Graphs

2011-2012 Graphs

2013 Graphs

2014 Graphs

2016 Graphs

2017 Graphs

2018 Graphs

2019 Graphs

Reports

2013 Report

2014 Report

2015 Report

2016 Report

2017 Report

2018 Report

2019 Report

Data

2009 Data

2010 Data

2011 Data

2012 Data

2013 Data

2014 Data

2015 Data

2016 Data

2017 Data

2018 Data

2019 Data