(Spirit Lake -)
Iowa DNR officials say water samples taken following a wastewater discharge to Big Spirit Lake on Wednesday indicate that the impact to the water body appears to be minimal.
DNR Environmental Specialist Bryon Whiting says the results from several e-coli samples have been examined, with some elevated levels near the storm sewer outlet, but he notes that those levels drop off rapidly about 200 feet away from the storm sewer outfall.
Another sample from Orleans Beach near the spillway appears to be close to normal.
More test results are expected on Friday morning.
In the meantime, it is suggested that people avoid the affected areas for another day or two.
The spill on Wednesday reportedly discharged about 21,000 gallons of untreated water though a storm sewer into Big Spirit Lake.
