Search

ABSTRACT Constitutional law often splits society into two realms: public and private. A person's constitutional rights and obligations depend on her classification into one of these realms. Almost all constitutional [...]

Standard methods for the evaluation of recreational water quality rely on generic bacterial indicators such as Escherichia coli. However, E. colidoes not provide enough information to determine fecal source or public health risk. The stsudy objective was to determine factors influencing the presence of E. coliand host‐specific markers (HSM) from upstream to downstream in Beaver Lake Reservoir (BLR). From February 2014 to September 2015, 420 base flow and rain event samples were collected from seven sites—two sites from streams (White River [WR] and War Eagle Creek) draining into BLR and five sites from within BLR. Each sample was analyzed for E. coliand by quantitative polymerase chain reaction for HSM related to human, bovine, and poultry. The data indicate that overall levels of E. coliwere significantly greater in the WR and significantly lower at the most downstream sampling location in BLR. Escherichia coliis more likely present during spring (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.86), at the WR sampling site (aOR = 3.39), or during a rain event (aOR = 2.73). Moreover, the HSM HumM2 is more likely present (aOR = 1.99) when E. coliis present. These same factors were associated with E. coliconcentrations >126 most probable number 100 mL−1(aOR = 2.76–12.48), except the poultry marker CL was more likely associated (aOR = 3.81) than HumM2. This study revealed that both seasonal and locational factors are important variables for fecal pollution in BLR. Moreover, these same factors may apply to fecal pollution in manmade reservoirs within similar types of watersheds across the United States, as well as internationally. E. coliand host‐specific markers (HSM) were monitored in a Beaver Lake Reservoir.Factors related to presence and concentration of E. coliand HSM were determined.E. colilevels >126 MPN 100 mL−1are 12.4 times more likely during a rain event.The human marker, HumM2, is more likely present when E. coliis present.The poultry marker, CL, is more likely present when E. coliis >126 MPN 100 mL−1.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.