THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WILL KEEP THE SWIMMING BEACH AT WATKINS WOOLEN MILL STATE PARK NORTHEAST OF KANSAS CITY CLOSED THIS WEEKEND DUE TO E. COLI LEVELS ABOVE THE STANDARDS SET BY THE DEPARTMENT.
WATER SAMPLES DRAWN MONDAY FROM THE BEACH AT WATKINS WOOLEN MILL STATE PARK SHOWED E. COLI LEVELS IN EXCESS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S SINGLE-SAMPLE STANDARD FOR STATE PARK BEACHES.
THE PARK’S WATER SAMPLE HAD 410.6 E. COLI COLONIES PER 100 MILLILITERS OF WATER.
THE BEACH HAS BEEN POSTED WITH SIGNS NOTIFYING VISITORS OF THE CLOSURE AND WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL E. COLI LEVELS FALL BELOW THE DEPARTMENT STANDARD.
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A SAFER BEACH EXPERIENCE, THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WILL CLOSE BEACHES AT STATE PARKS IF A SINGLE SAMPLE IS ABOVE 235 E. COLI COLONIES PER 100 MILLILITERS OF WATER, WHICH IS ALSO THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY’S SINGLE-SAMPLE GUIDELINE FOR A SWIMMING BEACH.
