REDDING, Calif. — A public health advisory has been issued for Brandy Creek Beach and Clear Creek upstream of Carr Powerhouse.
According to Whiskeytown National Recreational Area, recent quality monitoring at Brandy Creek Beach and in Clear Creek in and around Tower House Historic District, Clear Creek Picnic Area and Coggins Flat has detected elevated levels of E. coli bacteria. This poses an increased risk to recreational users.
While access to the mentioned areas remains open, the National Park Service advises visitors to avoid contact with the water in these areas of the park until further notice.
E. coli is an indicator bacteria used to identify fecal pollution from human, pet, or wildlife waste. Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but elevated levels indicate that pathogens could be present and sicken humans.
Whiskeytown National Recreational Area also shared their tips on how the public can help keep the water clean and safe:
- DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE. Whiskeytown’s Canada geese mostly live off unnatural human food that visitors feed them. They also eat park litter and food scraps that are left behind. A single goose can defecate approximately one to three pounds per day.
- DISPOSE OF ALL FOOD TRASH AND FOOD SCRAPS IN THE BROWN, BEAR-PROOF TRASH CANS. Please pick up food scraps after picnicking and never leave food unattended.
- SHOWER BEFORE GETTING INTO THE LAKE OR CREEK. A shower before swimming can help keep the waters clean, and a shower after swimming can greatly reduce the risk of swimmer’s itch, a condition unrelated to bacteria that is caused by a natural parasite that uses waterfowl as a host.
- USE THE RESTROOMS PROVIDED. Going to the bathroom “in Mother Nature” at Whiskeytown can pollute the water. Please only go to the bathroom in official restrooms.
- PUT SWIM DIAPERS ON BABIES AND TODDLERS. Putting swim diapers on babies and toddlers that are not yet “potty trained” can help protect water quality as well.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area says they monitor water quality regularly and collaborate with the Shasta County Environmental Health Division. This monitoring occurs every year from May to September and corresponds to the peak period of visitation. At present, the park is conducting daily testing in areas with elevated bacterial levels and the conditions are expected to be temporary.
For more information on Water Quality Monitoring at Whiskeytown, visit their website.
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