In 2006 the Shenandoah River was named one of the ten most endangered rivers in the nation. The America's Most Endangered Rivers Report sited rapid development as a threat to the health of the river. Now, it's not only the quality of the water in the river that is in question, but also the quantity.Current water levels in the Shenandoah River are at record lows.

On March 17th it was the lowest water level ever recorded in the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, for that day. As the population in the valley continues to grow and if rain doesn't make up for the water deficit, the Shenandoah Riverkeeper says we could have a serious problem on our hands in the next couple of months.

Shenandoah Riverkeeper Jeff Kelble has spent the last three years focusing on water quality in the Shenandoah River, but as time goes on he's becoming more and more concerned with the quantity of water. "We could reach a situation where we run out of water," says Kelble. Kelble says there have been local water restrictions in year's past, but he says he doesn't believe we've seen anything yet.

"This is the lowest that we've ever recorded in the North Fork of the Shenandoah in Strasburg. It's almost 20 percent below the drought level in 1931 and that was the most severe drought the valley has ever seen. It was more severe than the 1999 and 2002 droughts," says Kelble. Development is also threatening the river. The population in the valley has grown to more than 300,000. It's putting a strain on the Shenandoah River, in the amount of water and in the amount of pollution in the water.

"The impact from that is that water runs off of our roofs and our streets at a rapid rate and ends up in our river at a more rapid rate and it's also carry with it a load of pollution, oil and geese to nitrogen from air deposition," says Kelble. Kelble evaluates the changes he sees in the river he also focuses on scientific studies to determine the health of the Shenandoah. During the past few years there have been a number of fish kills found along the banks of the river. Kelble says the kills have moderated. There were some last Spring, but not to the extent as in previous years.

There are many theories as to the cause of the fish kills and scientists continue to investigate them.

Numerous organizations in the valley have formed to preserve and protect this river. Each group has a different approach, but their goals are similar; to save the Shenandoah.

A documentary was recently done on the Shenandoah called "Voices of the River." George Patterson is the executive director of "The Downstream Project," the nonprofit company that created the documentary.

"The stars of the documentary, the voices of the river, were local people. I would say 95 percent of the people that worked on this film, lived in this watershed," says Patterson. George Ohrstrom, president of "Friends of the Shenandoah River" came up with the idea of making the documentary. Local residents of all ages were featured in the piece. The oldest voice is 93-years-old. "The experience of a guy named George Grove who has spent a lot of time on the river, since the thirties, since he moved out here. The river was the thing that drew him to this area, that's why he moved to Clarke County in the thirties," says Patterson. Patterson says everyone has to be aware of the problems in the Shenandoah.

"The environment is something that we can't ignore, we've got to get this story out and other stories out to keep it in people's heads that they've got to do something to fix, not only the Shenandoah River, but they have to get tuned in because we've got to live on this planet for awhile. Sustainability is a big, big deal," says Patterson. A big deal because a lack of water in the river could affect each and every one of us. "As we near July, August, and September which is when our river reaches its lowest level, we could have real issues," says Kelble.

Patterson and Kelble encourage everyone to use the river, to go kayaking, canoeing, or fishing and while you're there maybe pick up a soda can. If you would like to learn more about Jeff Kelble's work or to report a fish kill, you can visit the web page at www.shenandoahriverkeeper.org.

The Barns of Rose Hill will screen the documentary film, "Shenandoah: Voices of the River". The 54-minute film will be shown in its entirety at 4 p.m. on April 19th at Powhatan School in Boyce.