Lake Winnipesaukee Bacteria Level
 

I heard that Ellacoya State Park was closed today due to high bacteria levels. We plan to go to the lake up the road from there at Samoset this weekend. Friends will have a young child with them.
Has anyone heard of this?
How far away would it be safe to swim?
i would love to hear any facts or opinions you may have.

Bacteria Level
 

Was this just a rumor about Ellacoya being closed due to high bacteria levels? I am frankly surprised that no one on the forum is talking about it. Anything?

Ellacoya State Park Beach high bacteria count advisory
 

From the NH Dept of Environmental Services:

Beach: Ellacoya State Park, Gilford
Start Date: 8/14/2009
Advisory: A bacteria advisory has been posted due to an E.coli count greater than the State standard of 88counts/100mL of water. The advisory will be removed when the re-sample values fall below this State standard. :(

Also Melvin Village Town Pier in Tuftonboro and Opechee Park Cove, Laconia are posted with high bacteria advisories.

I'm not sure that the advisory is the same as closing the beach or more of a cautionary warning. However, who wants to swim with a lot of bacteria?

Samoset (I used to be a camper at Camp Samoset) is probably in good shape as there is more water movement and less beach area over there. Just my opinion though.

Enjoy your vacation. :)

Today's Citizen says the NH-DES has closed the Gilford town beach.

Believe the process has the DES doing the tests on a regular basis and posting bright orange signs when contaminated. Actually closing the area is up to the local town.

Does anyone know anything regarding the high cyanobacteria levels in the lake? I've noticed lots of cyanobacteria around Bear Island.

DES Info
 

Go to the NH DES website (http://des.nh.gov) and you can sign up to get the notifications emailed to you. They note which areas are added, which remain, and which are removed and include the particular contamination that is the cause. I find it very helpful. I get the info sooner than through the news agencies. I don't want to go where there is a problem.

So as I am reading this thread one thing popped into my mind.... Does anyone think this is a result of all the rain we have had washing things into the lake....

Bad septic systems....
Fertilizer.....
Pet waste....

Etc.... are all likely causes........

Too mucn humanity.

Rain
 

I would think that it’s a result of all the rain the last few months washing into the lake. I hope it’s all cleared up for the triathlon this weekend that takes place at Ellacoya......

That's Blue-Green algae isn't it? Bad stuff.

Exactly
 

Exactly that as well as parents letting their toddlers swim in dirty diapers! Yes, I have seen it many times!

Dan

It is a result of the rain and warm weather.The rain really pushed nutrients into the lake so the bacteria thrives.

Yeah its algae. There isnt enough in Winnipesaukee to do harm, but its still there. :(