E. coli test results high at Bagnell Dam Access but low at Lake of the Ozarks public beach
Memorial Day Weekend is the first time lakegoers will be back in bodies of water in nearly nine months.
As you prepare for a fun holiday weekend, did you ever stop and consider what’s actually in the water.
In an ABC 17 News Investigates, we found there’s a high level of E. coli in parts of the lake.
At the Bagnell Dam Access the E. coli levels tested at nearly 650.
The Department of Natural Resources said the “normal” range for E. coli levels is between zero to 100.
ABC 17 News asked people at the Lake of the Ozarks if they knew there were high levels of the bacteria in the water if it would stop them from getting in.
One woman said it was concerning, but wouldn’t stop her from going to the lake.
ABC 17 asked Dr. Chris Sampson with MU Health Care where E. coli can originate from in water.
“It would depend on what type of E. coli samples grow out, but sometimes you might find E. coli 0517 in water if it’s been contaminated from runoff or sewage,” said Sampson.
He said animal runoff might not come only from animals.
“Runoff is a common source of contaimination, either coming from ground animals, or even human sewage or in the worst case if people are having bowel movements in the water,” said Sampson.
Public Beach No. 2 tested with little to no E. coli with a total number of one.
A couple told ABC 17 for the past eight years they’ve traveled to the Lake of the Ozarks.
Both agreed the water seemed different this year than years past, saying it looked “darker” and “dirtier”.
They said they were shocked to know the water at that public beach tested as clean as it did.
The Bagnell Dam Access wasn’t so lucky, as the e-coli levels tested more than six times the amount deemed as “safe.”
One woman and her family had just gotten off the water at the public access and told ABC 17 it was concerning to know the water quality was so low in the area.
However, she said it wouldn’t prevent her from coming down to the lake.
Sampson had some recommendations for people planning on jumping in the water this coming holiday weekend.
“The best things you can do is to make sure you’re not swallowing the water so, at least the smallest amount you can if it happens. But if you’re having skin irritations, it’s best to probably just wash off with clean fresh water as soon as you get out of the lake.”
