Joyce L. Miller
joyce.miller@lakesunonline.com
The ban on swimming at Public Beach No. 2 has been lifted.
For the first time in nearly a month, both public beaches in Lake of the Ozarks State Park are open.
The most recent test results were released on Thursday afternoon.
According to DNR spokeswoman Susanne Medley, the agency had asked for the test to be completed as soon as possible so park officials would know if the beaches would be open over the July Fourth holiday.
Public Beach No. 1 opened last week. Public Beach No. 2 opened July 1. The beaches had been closed after water quality samples indicated problems with elevated levels of E.coli.
DNR has been monitoring the E.coli levels at the beaches since the first of the month when the routine water samples came back with unacceptable results.
DNR operates two public beaches at Lake of the Ozarks State Park — Public Beach No. 1 and Grand Glaize Beach. Like all designated beaches in the state park system, water at the beaches is sampled weekly to ensure a safe public swimming area.
When bacterial levels, such as the levels for E. coli, surpass a certain level, the beaches are closed and warnings are posted to alert swimmers.
High bacteria levels often occur during rainy times when runoff from the surrounding area washes into the coves. Not surprising considering the amount of late spring and early summer rainfall.
Public Beach No. 1 showed high levels on June 5 forcing DNR to close the beach. Samples on June 12 tested okay so the beach was reopened June 12. Samples taken on June 15 and returned on June 18 showed high levels shutting the beach down for a second time.
The samples showing high bacterial levels for Grand Glaize Beach (PB2) came back on June 12 so the beach was closed on Friday, June 12. Two more rounds of tests have been done since then. The most recent test showed the E.coli levels were below the standard.
Lake of the Ozarks State park draws more than a million visitors a year.
