Isaias causes bacteria levels to soar in some DC area rivers and creeks

The weather service said there will be a prolonged period of at least minor flooding with moderate flooding during high tide through Sunday evening, especially north of Hains Point. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)

D.C. area rivers and creeks are seeing an increase in bacteria after Tropical Storm Isaias swept through the region earlier this week.

Combined sewer levels have overflowed in D.C. following Isaias, causing E. Coli levels to spike.

(Courtesy Anacostia Riverkeeper)

Anacostia Riverkeeper testing results show some unsafe E. Coli levels in the Anacostia River near the National Arboretum, Hickey Run, Yards Park, Anacostia Park and Buzzard Point.

Testing showed six areas to be high in the Potomac River, including the Washington Canoe Club, Fletcher’s Cove and Columbia Island.

In Rock Creek, seven testing sites came back as high, including the areas of Pinehurst Branch, Broad Branch and P Street Beach.

In Maryland, four of six areas in the Upper Anacostia watershed came back as over the maximum detection level, causing the riverkeeper to remind those out and about to be cautious this weekend.

(Courtesy Anacostia Riverkeeper)

Valerie Bonk

Valerie Bonk started working at WTOP in 2016 and has lived in Howard County, Maryland, her entire life. She's thrilled to be a reporter for WTOP telling stories on air. She works as both a television and radio reporter in the Maryland and D.C. areas. 

More tree damage in Leonardtown, Maryland. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Sheared-off trees on Point Lookout Road, in Leonardstown, Maryland. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
An overturned RV in Leonardtown, Maryland. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
An uprooted tree in Leonardtown, Maryland, Aug. 4, 2020. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
One of the many huge, uprooted trees near Charlie Mills’ home along Point Lookout Rd. in Leonardtown, Maryland, where the National Weather Service said a tornado was seen touching down Tuesday morning. (Michelle Basch/WTOP)
Windflowers (yes, that’s the common name) in the D.C. area survived Isaias. (Kate Ryan/WTOP)
A Pepco crew assesses a fallen oak tree on 27th Street Northwest, south of Military Road, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
truck accident on West Lake Drive
On West Lake Drive near Tuckerman Lane in Montgomery County, a truck driver was struck by a falling tree. (Courtesy Montgomery Co. Fire and Rescue/Pete Piringer)
car travels through a puddle
A car passes through a deep puddle on flood-prone Broad Branch Road in Northwest D.C. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)
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No Parking signs in place on Main Street. Many businesses in this stretch were devastated in 2018 and 2016 floods. (Neal Augenstein/WTOP)
Old Town Alexandria sandbags in front of a business
Sandbags are up against the doors of Old Town Books in Alexandria. Old Town is prone to flooding. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Old Town Alexandria is prone to flooding. The city ran out of sandbags when they were distributed on Aug. 3. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
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truck accident on West Lake Drive
car travels through a puddle
Old Town Alexandria sandbags in front of a business
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