Lake Wheeler beach closed for second time in August

Wake County Environmental Services closed Lake Wheeler Beach on Tuesday. Routine tests showed levels of enterococci, which can cause infections and lead to diarrhea, exceeded standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Posted 9:12 p.m. Aug 11, 2009 — Updated 9:17 p.m. Aug 11, 2009

RALEIGH, N.C. — Lake Wheeler in Raleigh is closed to recreational activities due to elevated levels of bacteria in the water. It is the second time this month that Wake County Environmental Services closed the beach.

Routine tests showed levels of enterococci, which can cause infections and lead to diarrhea, exceeded standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Enterococci is typically found in the digestive tracts and feces of warm-blooded animals.

Acceptable levels of enterococci should not exceed 60 colony forming units (cfu) per 100 milliliters. A recent test found 648.8 cfu.

Authorities closed the beach after a negative test on Aug. 6, only to reopen it Aug. 8.

The city already prohibits swimming at Lake Wheeler, but does normally allow fishing, water skiing, paddle boating and tubing.

The closure of the beach area does not restrict fishing on the lake, nor does it restrict waterskiing and tubing in the lake. The beach will be closed for primary contact activities such as kayaking, sunfish, sailboating and windsurfing.

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