Water Quality > Tributary and Waterfront Data > Quackenderry Creek > Rensselaer- Van Rensselaer Drive

Rensselaer- Van Rensselaer Drive

Physical/Chemical Data

Physical, chemical and biological properties of the surface water that are measured continuously while the patrol boat is underway.

Entero Count (fecal indicator) and Rainfall

7 Samples taken

Sample Date [i] Enterococcus Count

Entero Count

Enterococcus (“Entero”) is a fecal indicating bacterium that lives in the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals. It is the EPA preferred indicator for sewage contamination.

Quality Rain, day of (in) Prior Day 2 Days Prior 3 Days Prior Rain 4 Days Total Rain
Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort Sort
10/14/2017 157 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
09/09/2017 84 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.1 0.8 0.5 1.4
08/12/2017 461 Beach Advisory 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.5
07/08/2017 921 Beach Advisory 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4
06/10/2017 238 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
06/01/2017 1300 Beach Advisory 0.0 0.3 0.7 0.4 1.3
05/13/2017 32 Acceptable 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2

Entero Count (fecal indicator) and Rainfall Correlation

7 Samples taken

Water Quality*

Acceptable (0–60) Beach Advisory (61+)

*Single sample thresholds;
Enterococcus count per 100mL

Prior Four Day Rainfall
(in inches)

Dry Weather (0–0.25) Wet Weather (0.25+)

Enterococcus is an EPA-approved fecal contamination indicator.

Samples taken by citizen scientists and processed at laboratories that aren't directly affiliated with Riverkeeper, using methods and study designs that are consistent with Riverkeeper's Hudson River and Citizen Testing programs.

Rainfall data comes from wunderground.com. Wet weather is a common trigger of fecal contamination.

What do the Numbers Mean?

Water Quality scoring is based on the 2012 Recreational Water Quality Criteria from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for safe swimming. Learn More

About this location:

The 100-year floodplain extends along the banks of Quackenderry Creek designated as a Class C water body suitable for recreational use. Trail access is near City of Rensselaer Middle School and High School, and work has been done to convert this former National Guard rifle range into a city park.

Agencies Responsible:

Rensselaer County Dept. of Health: 518-270-2626; NYSDEC Region 4: 518-357-2068

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