‘Water contamination’ closes swimming areas at Chickasaw National Recreation Area
News from the Chickasaw National Recreation Area (National Park Service):
SULPHUR — The National Park Service has closed swimming areas within the Chickasaw National Recreation Area due to unusually high bacterial levels. Testing of the water of Travertine Creek below the Colds Springs Campground confirmed the contamination, which may be due to a leak on a park sewage line discovered by park staff on Aug. 12. Park staff repaired the problem and cleared the sewage line early that afternoon, but will await further testing before reopening the affected swimming areas. Park rangers are investigating the potential causes of the leak.
The following swimming areas are temporarily closed until further notice:
Travertine Creek, west (downstream) of the Cold Springs Campground
Panther Falls, 0.3 miles east of U.S. 177 on the northeast Perimeter Road.
Black Sulphur Springs, 0.15 miles west of U.S. 177 on the northwest Perimeter Road.
Rock Creek, from U.S. 177 to the Lake of the Arbuckles
Testing shows that swimming areas east (upstream) of the Cold Springs Campground are not affected by the contamination and remain open. These locations include Garfield and Bear Falls, and Little Niagara. If testing reveals no contamination Friday afternoon, the effected swimming areas along Travertine Creek will reopen. Please call the Travertine Nature Center at 580 622-7234 for the current status of the swimming areas.
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