Mink Creek Water Quality - An E. Coli Mystery Solved with DNA

This is an intriguing mystery story about surface water quality in the Mink Creek watershed, a super popular recreation area near the city of Pocatello. The area also is grazed by cattle during the summer months.

When water quality sampling showed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria in Mink Creek in 2017, the big question was, what were the primary sources of E. coli? Was it cattle? Reckless campers? Dogs? Wildlife?

Caribou-Targhee National Forest asked experts with the University of Idaho to do a research project to identify the sources of E. coli via DNA testing. UI ventured into the field in the summer of 2019, took more water quality samples, and then evaluated those samples with DNA testing in a lab, to determine the sources.

Watch the video to find out the answer to this mystery. Thanks for watching!