Gordon Rogers has served Flint Riverkeeper as Executive Director and Riverkeeper since 2009! Prior to FRk, Gordon was Riverkeeper and Executive Director at Satilla Riverkeeper, a professional saltwater guide & tournament angler, spent almost a decade in the waste & recycling business, and was a biologist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Gordon's love for Georgia's rivers runs deep and he serves the Flint watershed with an energy and passion like no one else. Gordon and his wife Gina reside in Talbot County, just a few miles from the Flint. You can reach Gordon with questions, comments, concerns, or reports at gordon@flintriverkeeper.org or on his cell at 912.223.6761.
Esherichia coli, commonly known as E.coli, is a strain of bacteria found in the digestive systems of all warm-blooded animals and people. Within our digestive systems E.coli serves an important role of helping to break down our food. However, when the bacteria is found in bodies of water in large amounts it is an indicator of a pollution problem and can pose a risk to public health. Flint Riverkeeper monitors E.coli in the river and tributaries as part of our regular water quality monitoring program.

Any body of water (stream, river, pond, lake, etc) will likely contain a measurable amount of E.coli bacteria that has entered the waterway from the feces of wildlife. It is not likely the bacteria will be found at a level high enough to be considered a safety concern to humans entering the water for recreation.
When E.coli is discovered in high amounts it serves as an indication of a pollution problem in the waterway such as a broken or overflowing sewer line, a combined-sewer-overflow discharge, or human behavior or alteration to the landscape encouraging the congregation of a high number of wildlife. Flint Riverkeeper monitors E.coli levels by collecting a sample in a sterile plastic bag called a "Whirl-Pak." After collection the sample is sealed, labeled, and stored in a cooler away from sunlight until it is processed and incubated for 24 hours. At the end of the 24 hour incubation, the E.coli colonies have grown to a size where they can be counted with the naked eye and the resulting number of colony forming units (CFU) is used to determine how much bacteria was present.
4 Colony Forming Units on a 3m Petrifilm Plate after incubation.
The standards which determine an acceptable or expected amount of E.coli from a concerning amount of E.coli are set by the Environmental Protection Agency and E.coli amounts, averaged over a 4-week period, less than 126 CFU is considered safe for human bodily contact. If one sample shows a result higher than 126 CFU, it is not worthy of alarm until the amount exceeds 235 CFU. High E.coli counts are rare in the Flint River but do occur and can generally be attributed to failing septic or sewer systems, large scale factory farms improperly managing animal waste, and Combined Sewer Overflows.

Flint Riverkeeper staff and volunteers regularly monitor the watershed for E.coli bacteria and quickly respond to any elevated numbers, working with local and state leadership to implement solutions. If you are concerned about the water quality in your part of the watershed, Flint Riverkeeper would be happy for you to join our volunteer water quality monitoring through GA DNR's Adopt-A-Stream program. Free training is offered quarterly and the next scheduled training date is listed in the event calendar below.
April 10 - Watershed Hike - Line Creek Nature Area, Peachtree City, GA - Click Here For More Information and Here to Register!
Join FRk for a hike to a headwaters shoal in the heart of Peachtree City and afterwards we'll retire to Line Creek Brewing for a drink and social hour. This easy hike of about 2.5 miles is a great opportunity to talk about the issues affecting this part of the watershed and the solutions FRk and our partners are putting into action. This hike is free for FRk members but registration is required. Non-members will need to register for $45.

May 8/9 - Mother's Day Shoal Lily Paddle - Click for More Information and for Registration.
Our annual Mother's Day paddle to view the shoal spider lily is back! This year, two trips will be offered so paddlers can choose the length of trip and technicality of waters they are comfortable with. FRk members can attend for free but must register and there will be a $10 charge for rented equipment. Non-members are welcome to join the trip for $45 and an additional $10 charge for rented equipment.

May 21 - Adopt-A-Stream Volunteer Training - Email robert@flintriverkeeper.org for registration and additional information.
Adopt-A-Stream training is a full day workshop offered quarterly by Flint Riverkeeper. Trainings take place across the watershed. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer email RJ about our next training workshop!

June 12 - Knobby Knees Music Festival - Albany, GA - Tickets Available Soon!
Seven acts playing from 2pm-Midnight, Flint Riverkeeper's annual music festival is back! Local favorites and national touring talent will grace the stage while you kick back and relax outdoors with food from local vendors and ice cold beer from Pretoria Fields! The full lineup will be announced SOON and tickets will be available for general admission and VIP.

July 17 - Paddle Trip - Albany, GA - Registration Opens Soon!
Lead by local historian and FRk Emeritus Board Member and Past President David Dixon, this half-day paddle is a fascinating experience exploring water treatment in the city of Albany, an old shipwreck, and much more!

August 20 - Adopt-A-Stream Volunteer Training - Email robert@flintriverkeeper.org for registration and additional information.
Adopt-A-Stream training is a full day workshop offered quarterly by Flint Riverkeeper at our office in Albany, GA. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer but live at another part of the watershed send RJ and email and he will work with you to organize a training in your area.

October 9/10 - Fall Float on the Flint - Details Coming Soon!

October 22 - Flint Riverkeeper Gala - Location and Details TBD

November 13 - Watershed Hike - Location and Details TBD