Friends of the Shenandoah River

04/22/2026

This Earth Day, we're fostering a love of nature and a commitment to its preservation in students from Wilbur Pence Middle School.

10/31/2025

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from the wild side 🎃👻🦉🦇🕷🐈‍⬛🐦‍⬛

10/09/2025

The Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative’s Financial Incentives Program Application is NOW Open! https://fosr.org/protect-grassland-birds-and-get-paid-to-do-it/

The Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative provides financial support for two best management practices (BMPs) that benefit both working lands and wildlife. These practices, (1) delayed haying and (2) summer pasture stockpiling, are designed to protect vulnerable grassland birds during nesting season, enhance overall landscape resilience, and remain financially practical for producers. Click on link for information about how you can help to protect the grassland birds 2026 Incentives Program Application. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOY485ir_l35MYM5HnP4uOSATr1mvOpviWcpJxmyGhrZTjlQ/viewform

For additional information about the The Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative please contact Justin Proctor, Coordinator of the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative, Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes, [email protected] or by phone (607) 229-6255

The Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative’s Financial Incentives Program Application is NOW Open! The Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative provides financial support for two best management practices (BMPs) that benefit both working […]

10/08/2025

Despite some recent precipitation, the Shenandoah River watershed continues to be under drought watch status due to insufficient and infrequent rainfall. Of greater concern is the ongoing lack of groundwater recharge, which has caused groundwater supplies in the watershed to drop to critically low levels.

Groundwater is a vital resource for communities, agriculture, and ecosystems throughout the Shenandoah region. We encourage residents and stakeholders to stay informed, conserve water wherever possible, and support efforts aimed at protecting and restoring this essential resource.

We will continue to monitor conditions closely and provide updates as the situation develops.

“Two groundwater indicators were in emergency status: one in Clarke County (Shenandoah region) and another in Prince William County (Northern Virginia region). By drought evaluation region, groundwater gauges were in emergency status in Northern Virginia and Shenandoah, Drought Indicators and key to Drought Map:” VIRGINIA DROUGHT MONITORING TASK FORCE Drought Status Report October 2, 2025

Despite some recent precipitation, the Shenandoah River watershed continues to be under drought watch status due to insufficient and infrequent rainfall. Of greater concern is the ongoing lack of groundwater […]

09/23/2025

September 22, 2025 | Richmond, VA – The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, has issued drought watch advisories for counties within the Shenandoah River watershed. Affected counties include: Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren.

“A drought watch advisory is intended to help Virginians prepare for a potential drought.” – Virginia DEQ

As conditions remain dry, we encourage everyone to do their part to conserve water and protect our shared natural resources.

September 22, 2025 | Richmond, VA – The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, has issued drought watch advisories for counties […]

09/19/2025

As the summer of 2025 comes to a close, this week Friends of the Shenandoah River (FOSR) has completed its final E. coli monitoring event for the season. Click on the image below to view the most current E. coli results before heading to the River

Of the 14 sites tested on Thursday, September 18, seven exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended recreational water quality threshold of 235 colony-forming units (CFUs) per 100 mL of water. Sites with elevated E. coli levels may present a higher risk of waterborne illness during recreational activities.

As the summer of 2025 comes to a close, Friends of the Shenandoah River (FOSR) has completed its final E. coli monitoring event for the season. Of the 14 sites […]

09/18/2025

🌤️ Good morning from the beautiful Daughter of the Stars, the Shenandoah River! Even with the much needed rain, the river levels are still running low for mid-September.
Today, I’m out collecting water samples, and I’ll be sharing the E. coli results tomorrow, Friday September 19, just in time for the final summer weekend of 2025. Stay tuned — whether you're planning to paddle, fish, splash around, or just enjoy the view, Friends of the Shenandoah River will have the info you need! Be sure to check in at https://fosr.org/ 🚣🏼🚴🏼‍♀️🛶🏕️🎣🤿🧗🏼🚵🏼‍♀️😎

09/03/2025

Click the image below to find out if the streak continued for a 4th consecutive time! Did E. coli levels at our tested river sites stay below the EPA’s recommended Beach Action Value (BAV) threshold for freshwater recreation?

Unfortunately, no, the E. coli level measured in the Shenandoah River at Lockes Landing public boat landing (site FC05) in Clarke County, VA was 248.1 MPN (most probable number) of […]

09/02/2025

Taking a moment to enjoy the beauty of the Shenandoah River watershed at Raymond 'Andy' Guest Jr. Shenandoah River State Park in Warren County, VA, while collecting water samples for FOSR’s summer weekly E. coli testing program. Know Before You Go! www.fosr.org.

08/30/2025

🌟 Come join the fun with Friends of the Shenandoah River at the Blue Ridge Wildfest today at Seven Bends Plant Nursery in Berryville, Clarke County, VA! 🌿🎉 We’re here until 4 PM with exciting activities, local wildlife, and nature-inspired fun! Don’t miss out on a day full of adventure and community spirit—bring the whole family! 🌳✨ See you here! 🌞

08/28/2025

Great news heading into the holiday weekend, with no rain in the forecast, we’re hopeful that E. coli levels will stay consistent with yesterday’s results at the river sites we tested, which were all below the EPA’s recommended freshwater Beach Action Value (BAV) of 235 CFU per 100mL of water sample.

Have fun, stay aware, and make the most of your time outdoors! 🦆🦅🤿🚵‍♂️🚴‍♀️🛶🎡🏕🌠🌄🍿🍔🍗🌭

Great news heading into the holiday weekend, with no rain in the forecast, we’re hopeful that E. coli levels will stay consistent with yesterday’s results at the river sites we […]

08/27/2025

In case you missed Mark Frondorf’s, the Shenandoah Riverkeeper, great radio spot on The River 95.3 FM last week you can listen to it here https://fosr.org/shenandoah-riverkeeper-spotlights-fosrs-e-coli-testing-program/

A big thank you to Mark for the kind mention and public support of Friends of the Shenandoah River and the work we do. Your recognition of our summer weekly E. coli testing program and the free public access to the results goes a long way in raising awareness and supporting the mission we’re so passionate about.

Make sure to tune in to Mark's River Reports on The River 95.3 FM on Fridays at 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM.

Courtesy of The River 95.3 FM: In this edition of the Shenandoah River Reports, Mark updates us on bacteria in the Shenandoah. Brought to you by Front Royal Outdoor, who makes your Summer last longer with some South Fork adventure!