Lake Wheeler beach reopens

Wake County has reopened the recreational swimming areas at Lake Wheeler beach, county officials announced Sunday.

The beach was closed Thursday due to elevated levels of the Entercocci bacteria, but was reopened Sunday after bacteria levels tested within Environmental Protection Agency standards for two consecutive days.

The county routinely tests recreational lakes for bacteria and when levels exceed EPA standards, the area is closed to “primary contact recreation,” which includes swimming or any activity where a person’s head may go underwater.

The county samples these lakes weekly each summer.