News Release Archive

Drinking Water Shut Off at Little Wood Campground

Coliform Bacteria Detected

Media Contact: Dave Walsh, 208-378-5026, 05/23/2017 17:21

For Release: May 23, 2017

CAREY, Idaho – The Bureau of Reclamation has detected coliform bacteria in the drinking water system at Little Wood River Reservoir Campground. The system has been shut off; however, the campground and related facilities are unaffected and will remain open during the camping season.

“There will be no drinking water available at Little Wood campground for an indefinite period of time. Out of concern for public safety, the water system has been shut off while we inspect and treat the well,” says Upper Snake Field Office Manager Ryan Newman.

Little Wood River Reservoir is located 69 miles north of Twin Falls, Idaho, off of Highway 26. Visitors to the park are encouraged to bring their own drinking water. Bottled water is available in Carey, Idaho, 4 miles south of the site.

Reclamation regularly performs water quality tests at all campsites each season. Test samples are sent to contract laboratories and reviewed by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

Coliforms are a broad class of bacteria. The presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water may indicate a possible presence of harmful, disease-causing organisms. Coliform bacteria are used as water quality indicators because they can be associated with pathogen sources. Waterborne pathogens cause diseases such as hepatitis, giardiasis, and dysentery.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Information about Little Wood River Dam and Reservoir