PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, June 6, 2025
CONTACT:
Linnea Bennett, Director of Marketing & Communications
James River Association
lbennett@thejamesriver.org
James River Watch Returns to Keep River Users Informed of Conditions
Updated map helps the public view weekly bacteria data and other key river conditions in their area
The James River Association (JRA) has officially kicked off another James River Watch season, helping river users assess river conditions as they make their plans to enjoy the water between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Nearly 100 citizen-science volunteers will support JRA by taking water quality samples at 38 monitoring stations across the watershed this season. These samples will be used to populate the map with key data points such as bacteria levels, turbidity, water and air temperature, and conductivity. Additional data on the map, including river flow, are provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
This year’s James River Watch map has moved to an updated ArcGIS platform that makes it easier for users to find river conditions throughout the watershed. Bacteria data are posted to the map every Friday evening at www.jamesriverwatch.org. River users are encouraged to visit the map and sign up for our weekly notification emails so they can use the data to make plans to enjoy the river safely.
“We are thrilled to kick off our twelfth season of James River Watch on a new and improved platform,” said Bill Street, CEO of JRA. “Last year, our data showed that across the watershed, the James was safe for recreating 85% of the time. This was an improvement from the previous two years and reiterates that the James is a wonderful resource for watershed communities to enjoy, but River users need to Know Before You Go.”
People can explore the results of the 2024 James River Watch season in our recap here.
While the data shows overall promising trends, river conditions can change rapidly, especially after intense rainfall or Combined Sewer Overflow events, which can occur in Lynchburg and Richmond. JRA encourages the public to check the map each Friday evening when results are posted to help stay informed of current events.
The James River Watch map is an important tool for connecting people to the river and increasing the public’s interest in protecting it. Community members can do their part in reducing pollution in the river by becoming a River Hero Home and pledging to adopt easy, river-friendly behaviors at home. JRA’s Action Network provides a platform for river advocates to help secure clean water funding, and river rats can become an official RiverRat, JRA’s first line of defense for patrolling potential pollution sources.
The James River Watch program is partially funded by the Department of Environmental Quality Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Grant Program and the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.
To learn more about James River Watch, visit www.jamesriverwatch.org.
ABOUT THE JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION: The James River Association is a member-supported nonprofit organization founded in 1976 that serves the waterways and communities of the James River. Throughout the James River’s 10,000 square mile watershed, the James River Association works toward its vision of a fully healthy James River supporting thriving communities. With offices in Lynchburg, Richmond, Williamsburg, and Scottsville, the James River Association is committed to protecting the James River and connecting people to it. For more information visit www.thejamesriver.org.