Officials with the US Forestry Service tell Now Habersham that this week’s water tests at Lake Russell showed normal “safe” levels of fecal coliform bacteria and the Mt. Airy recreation area is open for swimmers again.
Water at lakes on federal lands is tested weekly. Fecal coliform bacteria are naturally occurring but the government monitors and determines what levels are safe for swimming. A series of tests last week showed bacteria levels in Lake Russell and Lake Rabun were slightly elevated prompting a warning to swimmers at both sites.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the normal (safe) level of fecal coliform in lakes is below 200 cfu/100 ml – that’s 200 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water. The water tested at Lake Russell last week showed a slightly higher level, 215 cfu/100 ml, prompting the closure of the swimming area. The most recent tests show a return to lower levels of bacteria.
Rabun Beach Remains Closed
While bacteria levels are now low enough for swimming to resume at Lake Russell, Forestry says Rabun Beach will remain closed. Another test on the water there is pending.
Due to state and federal environmental regulations even a minor increase prompts an automatic response from the Forestry Service –
“Rabun Beach swimming area is closed due to elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria. The public swim areas on Forest Service land are tested weekly. Two different samples taken with in a seven day period tested for elevated levels of bacteria.
The Chattooga River Ranger District recommends you do not swim or wade in the swim area. Fish caught from these areas should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and cooked before eating as should fish from any waters.
The area will be retested and the closure will be lifted when tests show the bacteria levels meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.”
