Elevated levels of E. coli have closed the Keaton’s Lake boat launch at the Lake of the Woods gated community in Orange County.
The Lake of the Woods homeowner association is asking swimmers, boaters and pets refrain from entering the water at the boat launch until further notice. Cumberland Beach at Keaton’s Lake was closed last week due to elevated E. coli levels but has since reopened.
“Members who live in or near the cove near Cumberland Beach and Keaton’s Lake boat launch should avoid swimming, windsurfing and stand-up paddle-boarding as well as any other activities that may pose a risk of ingesting water until test results confirm lower E. coli concentrations at these locations,” the Lake of the Woods Association said in a statement Wednesday.
Cornwallis Beach on the Main Lake also is open after a swim advisory, also due to E. coli found in the water last week.
“Members swim and engage in water activities at their own risk until test results confirm lower E. coli concentrations at these locations. This advisory is in place to help protect the health and safety of all users,” said the association.
E. coli is a type of bacteria. Exposure can lead to abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, nausea, fatigue and, in severe cases, kidney failure and neurological damage.
Elevated levels of E. coli and a harmful algal bloom closed multiple beaches at Lake of the Woods in June and early July, but until Cumberland Beach was closed this past week, all waters had been reopened.
Lake of the Woods spans roughly 2,600 acres in Orange County surrounding a central man-made, 500-acre Main Lake with multiple smaller lakes around it.
Lake of the Woods updates are to be reported online at www.lowa.org.
Source: www.dailyprogress.com