One Week Before MemorialDay, 5 Iowa Parks Have High Fecal Colifirm Counts

[hatrack]

"The first tests of the season have found high fecal bacterial levels at five state park swimming areas. Beaches at Rock Creek Lake near Kellogg, Blue Lake Beach at Lewis and Clark State Park near Onawa, Pine Lake near Eldora, and Black Hawk Lake near Lake View posted readings slightly above the single-sample limit for swimming.

Levels at Beeds Lake near Hampton were nearly twice the limit. Samples were taken Monday and Tuesday.

High readings typically indicate a likelihood of organisms that can make people sick. That often means diarrhea, but the organisms can produce more serious illnesses, too. Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible. Healthy people, however, often fight off the organisms without symptoms.

No advisory signs will be posted at the beaches based on this week's results, said Eric O'Brien of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Signs are used only during swimming season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. igh readings are less common early in the season, when bacteria don't live as long. Also, not many swimmers brave the water this early.

Alex White, 24, of Clive, a triathlete since 1999, said he leaves bacterial concerns to race organizers, who must decide whether to cancel an event. "Most of the time, you turn a blind eye," said White. "I think most of the time if it's a great risk, there's been some advance notice of trouble." White said it doesn't surprise him that several Iowa lakes already have registered high readings this season. "Not with all the runoff and ag facilities, and with a resident population of Canada geese growing," he said."

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