Swimming advisory returns at Lake Darling

BRIGHTON — After a brief period of improved E Coli testing results, the Iowa DNR has issued a “swimming not recommended” advisory at Lake Darling in Brighton after the latest round of tests. The advisory is the lake’s second this summer.

The beach is one of 12 under such E Coli-linked advisories in the state, according to a July 8 report from the Iowa Environmental Council. Only one beach in the state — McIntosh Woods Beach in Cerro Gordo County — is under an advisory for microcystin, rather than E. coli.

Lake of Three Fires, in Southwest Iowa’s Taylor County, is temporarily closed after a swimmer recently contracted a rare but deadly disease that has a fatality rate exceeding 97% according to CDC estimates.

The Environmental Council said the Naegleria fowleri infection was commonly known as “the brain-eating amoeba.”

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services are testing the lake to confirm whether or not the amoeba is present,” the report said. “The process will take several days and the beach will remain closed during that time.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com