Update: Piney Bay Swim Beach Reopened at Lake Dardanelle
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: June 4, 2012
Update (June 4, 4:15 p.m.):
The Army Corps of Engineers Russellville Project Office has reopened the swimming area at Piney Bay Park on Lake Dardanelle.
The Corps says Escherichia coli bacteria levels, commonly referred to as E. coli, are within an acceptable range to allow swimming at the park. Testing will continue to ensure that E. coli levels remain within an acceptable range.
The swimming area was closed May 24th because higher than acceptable E. coli levels were found during routine testing by the Arkansas Department of Health. Corps officials believe unseasonably high temperatures and lack of rainfall were contributing factors.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains are harmless, others can make people sick. Some can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses.
Original Story (May 24):
There will be a change of plans for some people planning to visit Lake Dardanelle over the Memorial Day weekend.
One of the lake's swim beaches is being shutdown by high E. Coli levels.
The Army Corps of Engineers, Russellville Project Office has closed the swimming area at Piney Bay Park until further notice.
The higher than acceptable E. Coli levels were found during routine testing conducted by the Arkansas Department of Health.
Testing will continue on a daily basis, and the swimming beach will be reopened as soon as test results indicate it is safe.
Corps officials are working to determine the source of the higher levels, but believe the unseasonably high temperatures and lack of rainfall are contributing factors.
The Army Corps of Engineers Russellville Project Office has reopened the swimming area at Piney Bay Park on Lake Dardanelle.
The Corps says Escherichia coli bacteria levels, commonly referred to as E. coli, are within an acceptable range to allow swimming at the park. Testing will continue to ensure that E. coli levels remain within an acceptable range.
The swimming area was closed May 24th because higher than acceptable E. coli levels were found during routine testing by the Arkansas Department of Health. Corps officials believe unseasonably high temperatures and lack of rainfall were contributing factors.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains are harmless, others can make people sick. Some can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses.
Original Story (May 24):
There will be a change of plans for some people planning to visit Lake Dardanelle over the Memorial Day weekend.
One of the lake's swim beaches is being shutdown by high E. Coli levels.
The Army Corps of Engineers, Russellville Project Office has closed the swimming area at Piney Bay Park until further notice.
The higher than acceptable E. Coli levels were found during routine testing conducted by the Arkansas Department of Health.
Testing will continue on a daily basis, and the swimming beach will be reopened as soon as test results indicate it is safe.
Corps officials are working to determine the source of the higher levels, but believe the unseasonably high temperatures and lack of rainfall are contributing factors.
