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Little River Pollution

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Little River Threatened with Dangerous Bacteria

ALERT !  --   E. Coli Threat to Little River !

Little River is the longest river river in the Northern Hemisphere to flow entirely atop a mountain. The pristine quality of Little River led to its recognition as the third cleanest river in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed Little River on the Outstanding National Resource Water (ONRW) list as a result of the diligent efforts of a group formed over a decade ago called Friends of the Little River.

However, recent water tests revealed, among other pollutants, dangerously high E. coli bacteria levels in all forks of Little River. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning are fever, belly pain, vomiting, etc. (kidshealth.org)

Finding the source of the E. coli and the clean up of the Little River is directly related to the future health of Little River and the quality of life, as well as the economy, of the Mentone area, Lookout Mountain, Alabama, and the region.

Mary Shue, with the National Park Service, began testing the river in October, 2006. The danger level for E. coli is 234 per 100 ml of water, according to federal recreational water quality standards.  Little River National Preserve's water tests reported in November that E. coli counts were up as high as 2,419 per 100 ml -- approximately ten times higher than the danger level.   (www.nps.gov/liri/parkmgmt/water-quality-data.htm)

The dangerous E. coli counts were more widespread in October; and even higher levels of E. coli were detected in the river during November.

Lookout Mountain Heritage Alliance members began water sampling the West Fork in July of 2006. Guardian Labs of Birmingham tested the samples. The town of Mentone and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management were notified that E. coli counts were 20,000 per 100 ml (www.helplittleriver.com).

Since November, water flows have increased and carried pollutants down river. However, when the rainy, high-flow water season is over, E. coli counts have the potential to once again rise to dangerous levels. This cycle is likely to continue until the source of E. coli is found and the contamination is stopped.

In the months of low water flow (May through October), Little River is used for recreational purposes by residents, tourists, and the children at the many camps located atop Lookout Mountain.

E. coli is an easily detectable dangerous bacteria. E. coli live in feces so it is likely when E. coli is present that feces have contaminated the water along with other dangerous bacteria and viruses.

Until the Little River is cleaned of E. coli, the flows of Little River will continue to push pollution toward Weiss Lake and the Coosa River Basin, both valuable sources of clean water, providing recreational and economic benefits to the southeast.

Rob Hammond, the Mayor of Mentone and owner of Camp Laney (located on the West Fork of Little River at the mouth of Harrison creek), is seeking solutions to the problem since receiving the NPS water testing results. He, along with the owners and staff from other camps, met with the National Park Service. The owners of the camps, according to Mayor Hammond, have offered to the NPS to pay an unbiased, independent water testing group to help in water testing efforts.

Mayor Hammond has ordered 100 test kits for the town of Mentone in order to test the river and the tributaries to find the source of E. coli. The 100 test kits are helpful in order to pinpoint the source of the pollution; however there will need to be funds available for many more.

John Bundy with the Little River National Preserve says that the Little River National Preserve currently does not have funds allocated to test further to find the source.

Volunteers and Donations Needed

Any donations you can make for water test kits and E. coli laboratory source testing will contribute to bringing the river to a healthy state. Mayor Hammond has expressed interest in working with local groups to raise money for testing kits and E. coli laboratory testing.

Lookout Mountain Heritage Alliance is eager to work with the town of Mentone and other regional groups in coordinating further efforts to locate the source of E. coli and help clean up the Little River. The river needs more hands helping in order to accurately determine the sources of the pollution.

Concerned citizens of Alabama and the Southeastern region are being asked to donate their time to be certified as water testers to monitor the creeks, streams and the Little River atop Lookout Mountain. Water testing classes and certifications will be held in the spring. If you have an interest in helping with water testing or any other of the abundant volunteer opportunities such as clean ups, fundraising, bringing awareness to your community.

On a local level, Lookout Mountain Heritage Alliance (LMHA) and Appalachian Mountain Life Inc. (AMLI) are forming an open, focused communication between the National Park Service, EPA, ADEM, local and county governments, camps and citizens who are eager to volunteer to help clean up Little River.

Members of the Mentone area community have worked tirelessly and spent significant personal funds to help protect Little River. Your time and any donations will help to clean and protect the Little River.

If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation, you may do so through Appalachian Mountain Life, Inc., (AMLI), a non-profit organization earmarking donations for water testing to pin point the source of E. coli in Little River (P.O. Box 224, Mentone, AL 35984).

Your tax deductible contribution and/or your time can help the appropriate agencies so that they can take lead responsibility for deciding upon the appropriate measures to cleanse the river.