Ashland Creek meanders through the Lithia Park. Routine water quality bacteria test results for Ashland Creek show E. coli levels exceeding State of Oregon standards for swimming or wading at the Swim Reservoir in Lithia Park. UPDATE: In addition to the Swim Reservoir, the wading area near the children's playground is also unsafe for swimming and wading. 
 
Water quality in the creek varies, due to many factors in our watershed. The City of Ashland monitors E. coli levels weekly during the warmer months, May through October.

E. coli is a bacteria found naturally in the digestive tracts of humans and many other animals. Not all E. coli cause disease; however, high E. coli counts can also be an indicator of other pathogens. Water that exceeds the State’s E. coli standards should not be ingested, and you are strongly urged to stay out of the water. 
 
APRC and the City of Ashland will continue to monitor the health of Ashland Creek throughout the summer and fall and will post signs accordingly at the Swim Reservoir and at the wading area near the children’s playground in Lithia Park. For more information and to stay up to date, visit ashland.or.us/ParksWaterQuality.
 
For information on APRC visit AshlandParksandRec.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @AshlandParksandRec and use the hashtags, #AshlandParksandRec #APRC.