Windsor Lake Closed Until Further Notice, 7 Cases Of Shigella, High Levels Of E. Coli

Every time I have gone by Windsor Lake this summer it has been packed with people enjoying the swim beach. But there is some bad news for anyone who wants to swim in the lake or go boating in the near future.

Windsor Lake is closed until further notice. Read more to find out why.From the Town of Windsor:

The Town of Windsor has closed Windsor Lake until further notice. Located at 100 North 5th Street, this includes the swim beach at Boardwalk Park, motorized and non-motorized boating, and boat rentals.

The Weld County Health Department is actively investigating reports of illnesses from individuals who reportedly swam at the lake recently. The Town will continue to work with the health department on testing and appropriate measures for re-opening the lake as soon as possible. Please check back for announcements when the lake is re-opened.

Bacterial outbreaks of a variety of sources are possible in agricultural related bodies of water such as Windsor Lake.

This figures, I actually had plans to go wake boarding on Windsor Lake this week, I guess I'll just have to hope it re-opens in time.

when it comes to possible bacterial infections, I think I'd rather the city errs on the side of caution.

But as the streak of warm temperatures continues, the no swimming and no boating could make for a lot of unhappy townsfolk.

***UPDATE*** 07-31-12

According to the Greeley Tribune,

Windsor officials confirmed on Tuesday that a water test performed July 27 from Windsor Lake came back with high levels of E. coli bacteria, but Kelly Campbell, health education specialist for the health department, said they are not sure what is causing the shigella.

The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed seven cases of shigella, a gastrointestinal infection, that appears to be coming from Windsor Lake.

Some of the possibilities that could be causing the problem; agricultural runoff, rain, or...human excrement.

Eww.

***UPDATE*** 08/02/2012 5pm

Windsor Lake has been re-opened.

[Town of Windsor]