Gooseberry Falls Water Advisory

[HD]

A sign advising "water contact not recommended" has been posted today by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency at the Gooseberry Falls State Park beach.

Water samples collected Wednesday showed elevated levels of bacteria in the water that could be unsafe for kayakers or others who come in contact. The water will be retested today and the advisory could be removed by Friday.

[deadeye]

Holy crap, I was just walking in the falls a couple days ago.  Now I have to go soak my feet in bleach.

[HD]

UP-DATE

DULUTH - June 12 -The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency today dropped its advisory to avoid contact with the water at the Gooseberry Falls State Park beach.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency today dropped its advisory to avoid contact with the water at the Gooseberry Falls State Park beach.

Lab tests show that fecal indicator bacteria levels have returned to acceptable levels. The advisory against water contact was issued Thursday.

Anyone who becomes ill after contact with beach water is asked to contact the Minnesota Department of Health at (877) 366-3455.

[thunderpout]

I remember reading an article in the Volunteer last year I believe, on the water quality issues in the big lake and the rivers/streams going into it on the north shore.... What it didnt say though, was, if this has been going on for a while and we just didnt test the water/or know of these issues like we are now.... or, if its just a recent problem...?   You hear of this now on lakes with public beaches here in the cities and suburbs, but how does fecal bacteria reach these levels up there?  Are there that many outhouses leaching the stuff into the water, or is it the population increasing faster than the sewer systems can handle....?  What is the cause?