Indiana Dunes National Park warns towards swimming at 3 seashores – NBC Chicago

Indiana Dunes National Park officers warned towards swimming at three seashores due to elevated E. coli ranges on Thursday.

Testing performed the day prior confirmed E. coli ranges that exceeded water high quality requirements for swimming at Central, Porter seashore and Portage lakefront, officers stated.

“Enjoy these spots from the shore only! All other national park waters are safe for swimming for now,” Indiana Dunes National Park officers stated in social media publish on Thursday morning.

Testing will once more be performed on the impacted seashores and officers stated they are going to launch up to date stories.

Despite the elevated E. coli ranges, the seashores will stay open as a result of the National Park Service doesn’t shut down seashore entry “solely due to elevated bacteria levels,” officers stated.

“Beaches stay open even if bacteria levels are high, so plan your visit with safety in mind—check water quality, weather, and other updates!” officers stated.

Officials additionally stated on Thursday that the park’s Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education will probably be closed till Aug. 19 and all public applications are canceled till additional discover due to harm from extreme storms this week.

“Several parts of the park are inaccessible due to the weather event from August 11th.It is not advisable to go in the lake after a heavy rain. Use extreme caution when visiting as most locations have no power and are out of service,” officers stated.