GAINESVILLE - One swimming beach is open but another remains closed in north Georgia after U.S. Forest Service officials found elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria in the water last Saturday.
"Fecal coliform bacteria are a kind of coliform associated with human or animal waste, and in themselves don't generally pose a danger to people or animals, but they indicate the presence of other disease-causing bacteria."
Judy Toppins with the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Service, said Lake Russell in Mt. Airy is okay for swimmers and fishermen now. She said they aren't sure why the bacteria levels were high.
"You know it was probably likely due to the recent heavy rains, but no specific cause has been identified," Toppins said.
She said the water at the beach at Lake Rabun also tested with high levels of bacteria, and that beach remained closed Friday afternoon.
The U.S. Forest Service operates the following beaches in our area.
Blue Ridge Ranger District - Lake Winfield Scott swim beach, Morganton Point swim beach (on Lake Blue Ridge)
Chattooga River Ranger District - Lake Rabun Beach swim area, Lake Russell swim beach
