Avoid 2 Creeks In Jackson

By: Lorraine McBride | WJTV
Published: February 08, 2012

(JACKSON, Miss.) –The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality

(MDEQ) issued two temporary water contact advisories for creeks in the Jackson area Tuesday.

These advisories apply to the following waters:

· Lynch Creek from Lynch Street downstream to the confluence with Pearl

River.

· Big Creek from McClure Road downstream to Terry Road.

MDEQ recommends that people avoid water contact recreation such as swimming or wading in these waters. In addition, people should avoid eating fish from these streams until further notice.

At Lynch Creek the soil around a 30 inch sewer line has eroded in several places causing the line to collapse and creating the potential for a serious leak into the stream. The leak cannot be confirmed at this time due to high water in the stream. At Big Creek, there is a hole in an 18 inch sewer line running underneath the creek bed. The City of Jackson is working to correct both issues. MDEQ staff has begun monitoring bacteria levels in both streams and will revise the advisories as needed.

Two advisories previously issued are still in effect. One issued December 20, 2011, for Caney Creek in Jackson from Highway 18 downstream to McClure Road, and one issued January 23 for Town Creek in Jackson from Fortification Street to the confluence with the Pearl River.