Elevated levels of E. coli found in Nampa lake

Elevated levels of E. coli were found in a sample taken from Nampa’s Lake Lowell, the Idaho Department of Environmental Equality confirmed Friday. The lake will remain open, according to the Southwest District Health Department.

The sample was taken from the Lower Dam Recreation Area near Picnic Park.

Earlier this summer, Quinn’s Pond and the ponds at Esther Simplot Park in Boise were closed because of high levels of E. coli. The smaller of two ponds at Simplot closed earlier this week because of a potentially toxic algae bloom.

E. coli, in addition to blue-green algal blooms found in Lake Lowell, can cause sickness in human and animals. Lake-goers should avoid ingesting water and wash their hands after contact with lake water. People are also asked to pick up after their pets and to not feed geese.

This story was originally published September 8, 2017 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Elevated levels of E. coli found in Nampa lake."