This Land, Your Land

The state Division of Parks and Recreation announced the closing of swim areas at Sandling and Beaverdam beaches at Falls Lake on Tuesday afternoon because of high levels of bacteria in the water. An alert was posted at 4:30 p.m. with no further information.

Wake County, which presides over public health issues, closed the waters at Beaverdam July 1 and reopened them on July 3 after having closed them June 9 to 12. The county closed Sandling Beach swim area at Falls Lake May 22 to 24.

The county routinely tests recreational lakes for bacteria, including Enterococci. When bacteria levels exceed EPA standards, the area is closed to "primary contact recreation," which is swimming or any activity where your head may go underwater. The county samples the lakes weekly each summer.

In the county's news release announcing the closing later in the day, Wake County Environmental Services Director Tommy Esqueda says, "We will continue to collect water samples on a daily basis for the area and reopen the lake for swimming as soon as the bacteria levels fall below the EPA-established standards. After we observe two consecutive days of acceptable bacteria levels, the area will be reopened for recreation."

Falls Lake State Recreation Area offers swimming at Sandling Beach, Rolling View and Beaverdam. The swim area at Holly Point is for campers only.