An Allegan County Health Department advisory against swimming in Gun Lake at the Allegan County Park because of E coli concerns has been lifted.
The health department issued its warning July 2, but lifted it just in time for the Fourth of July holiday.
The Health Department reported it detected high levels of E. coli in the water at the park, located off 124th Avenue on the line between Martin and Wayland townships. Resulted showed more than 325 E. coli per 100 milliliters, slightly above the state’s safety limit of 300. Officials then issued a swim advisory urging the community to avoid swimming or full body contact with the water.
E. coli is a type of bacteria that signals the water has been contaminated with fecal matter. When it is detected in high levels, it can mean there is other harmful bacteria in the water. Exposure can lead to illness such as swimmer’s itch, skin or eye irritation and stomach pain.
Health Department groundwater specialist Tess Scheidel said the situation was caused by recent heavy rain. Or contamination could have been from runoff from nearby fields.
Officials since then have taken took new samples and results came back much lower, around 102, so they were able to lift the advisory by Thursday morning, July 3.
