Lodi Lake Beach is closed for swimming through June 22 after testing positive for elevated levels of E. coli, according to the city’s Public Information Officer, Nancy Sarieh.
The shallow part of the lake is particularly affected, as geese and duck feces can sit and fester in that area. The rest of the lake is fine, according to Sarieh. For now, the city is just waiting it out.
“It’s just a matter of the water mixing and flowing,” Sarieh said. “There’s no sort of treatment that we do.”
Water flow is very important to lowering bacteria levels, as stagnant water is a prime breeding ground for E. coli.
E. coli comes from the intestines of people and animals. If exposed to certain strains, people can get sick with nausea, diarrhea and stomach cramping. People can get E. coli from contaminated water, in this case, with geese and duck waste.
This isn’t the first time an incident of this kind has occurred. Last summer, the lake closed just before Independence Day, upsetting some residents. This time around, people seem to be more understanding, with less comments on social media and no upcoming holiday.
The lake has closed on multiple occasions this summer due to staffing shortages and now, bacteria levels. The city posted about being closed on June 6, 11 and 12 thus far. But luckily, there are alternatives.
Swimming may be closed, but the sandy beach and wading pool are still open to the public. Daily parking passes are $8-$10 and entry fees are only $3-$5. Although swimming is restricted, the Lodi Lake Boathouse, offering kayak and paddleboard rentals, is still open for business.
The city suggests Hutchins Street Square Indoor Pool and Enze Pool at Blakely Park as alternative places to make a splash this weekend. For more information and updates, visitors can go to https://www.lodi.gov/348/Lodi-Lake.
