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The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has closed two public beaches at the Lake of the Ozarks because of high concentrations of E. coli. The closed beaches are located at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park near U.S. 54. KSMU's Katie Easley did a check up on other local swimming spots and files this report.
Reporter: “Right now I’m standing on the bank of the Little Sac River at farm road 125- that’s just 10 miles north of Springfield. According to the Springfield/Green County Health Department’s website, the E. coli levels in this swimming spot tested over twice what is generally considered suitable for swimming this week. The previous week they tested even higher.” Standup
“Each specific test we run is just one point in time at one particular point in the river so it’s not really an over all picture,” she said.
That’s Karen McKinnis, a Green County Health Department spokeswoman. She says that a river’s E. coli can change significantly from day to day. McKinnis says big changes are usually attributed to heavy rains, and until the changes become constant, it is up to the individual on whether local lakes or rivers are safe to swim in.
“You just have to really consider your own personal choices and your health situation and how diligent you need to be in watching that water,” she said.
E coli levels are tested in Green County rivers and lakes every Tuesday, and the results are posted on the departments website every Friday. The health department encourages residents to go to the website and check the E. coli levels before going swimming in a lake or river. McKinnis encourages people to do other activities if there are any signs the water may not be safe to swim.
“Always look at the water. If it looks murky or smells bad maybe you should not do a full body contact maybe you should just, you know, float a little bit or play on the canoe or fish.”
Other tips McKinnis gave on preventing water-related illnesses include not using the river or lake water to clean your food, avoid drinking the water, and make sure you do not pollute the water for other swimmers. The Springfield/Green County Health Department has no policy on closing lakes or rivers if E. coli levels do reach a certain high. However, Doctors are required to report E. coli sicknesses to the department.
For KSMU News, I’m Katie Easley.
