Eagle Creek Park Swim Area Closed Due to E. Coli Concerns
INDIANAPOLIS — The swim area at Eagle Creek Park has been temporarily shut down after routine water tests detected elevated levels of E. coli, according to Indy Parks and Recreation.
The park, located on northwest side of Indianapolis, will remain closed while officials await further test results.
Indy Parks and Recreation announced the closure on social media.
“It is common for E. coli and other bacteria to occur naturally at certain levels in lakes, streams and reservoirs,” the post says. “Elevated bacteria levels are often associated with heavy rains, high temperatures, and runoff from sources such as waterfowl, pets, farm animals, and wildlife.”
Swimming in water contaminated with E. coli bacteria can lead to several health issues, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and nausea.
Eagle Creek Park was not the only facility to experience water quality concerns this week.
The Fishers Health Department sent out a public health advisory on Monday for Geist Reservoir and parts of the White River. However, the health department clarified that water quality at Geist Waterfront Park passed recent tests and is safe for swimming.
Beyond Eagle Creek, recent testing identified other specific locations with E. coli levels. These include Fall Creek at Geist Park (on Florida Road), Fall Creek at Canal Place (on Geist Ridge Drive), and the White River (on Wahpihani Drive).
In a separate but related incident, Muncie officials said Friday morning that Prairie Creek Reservoir Beach is also temporarily shutting down. The closure is due to high levels of microcystins, a toxin produced by blue-green algae. Test results showed a level of 9.9, which is higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s safe threshold of 8.
