lake panoramaSwimming season at Lake Panorama has officially come and gone, and we have a summary of the beach water quality at the lake’s three beaches this past summer.

The LPA used the same criteria as the Iowa State Parks in 2013, testing each week for e-coli bacteria, an indicator of contamination by human or animal waste.

According to the test, poor water quality is defined as 235 colonies of bacteria in a standard sample. The lake’s biggest swimming area, Boulder Beach, tested positive for high e-coli levels eight different times this summer, five of which were due to murky water as the result of high river flows after heavy rains. The Association determined the other three instances were due to goose droppings.

Sunset Beach also had an unsafe bacteria test result five times, each one due to river flows after heavy rains.  And Shady Beach recorded high e-coli levels three times .

Each time the water tested for unsafe levels, the LPA posted “Swimming Not Recommended” signs to warn members and guests.

The Association says it has improved its geese deterrent capabilities, which should keep future counts lower in the future.  The geese deterrents are particularly effective at Boulder and Sunset Beaches.

The blue-green algae that resulted from the prolonged period of dry weather near the end of summer was also tested by the LPA.  Tests show that the algae tested far below dangerous levels and never posed any serious health threats.

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