(Wahpeton)– There’s good news when it comes to bacteria levels in the Iowa Great Lakes, especially regarding E-coli. Dr. Mary Skopec, Executive Director at Iowa Lakeside Lab, tells KUOO news, those levels were initially high in some areas shortly after last month’s heavy rains but have long since declined to those considered safe for swimming:
“Our testing has really shown low levels, especially over the last 10 days the levels have come way down. We’re not seeing anything actually that recommends people shouldn’t be swimming because of E-coli. The only sort of thing I would say is if we get hot, sunny weather we may see some blue-green algae blooms and if people see blue-green or skummy water they should stay out of that but in terms of the E-coli bacteria everything is looking good for swimming.”
Skopec says they should have a better idea toward the end of the season as to any impacts shoreline erosion and bank collapses have had on water quality:
“We’re going to be able to look at the end of the season for the level of sediment and stuff that was washed in during those bank collapses and certainly the water is a little bit cloudier this year because of that so people should be especially careful about watching while the kids are in the water, keep an eye on them because it is a little bit cloudier in parts of the lake. And again be aware of the floating debris from docks and things that may have broken off and gotten into the water.”
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported Tuesday a drastic decrease in floating debris, but they caution there is still a considerable amount of it on shorelines.
