FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2011
Contact: Robbie Wilbur
601/961-5277
MISSISSIPPI DELTA LAKES SAFE FOR SWIMMING AND BOATING BOATING RESTRICTIONS REMAIN ON EAGLE LAKE AND WOLF LAKE
(JACKSON, Miss.) -- The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) sampled 23 lakes in the Delta for chemical and bacterial contamination following the recent Mississippi River and Yazoo Backwater flooding. (See the attached map for sampling locations). Based on the results of this sampling MDEQ and the Mississippi State Department of Health agree that these waters can be safely used for boating and water contact recreation.
A primary human health concern following a flood is waterborne disease from flooded sewage treatment systems. Bacteria monitoring of Delta waters did not find significant sewage contamination in the lakes and streams sampled.
“Our sampling showed that in general the water quality looks good following the flooding, and human health risks do not appear to be elevated following the flood. While there is some potential risk of disease in any unchlorinated waters, the bacteria levels measured in the lakes were below levels of concern in all but one sample, and that was collected from a flooded casino parking lot at Lake Ferguson. However, since there is potential risk in everything we do, and these data don’t reflect the condition of every area of every lake, we encourage the public to use caution and common sense when swimming, skiing, and boating on these waters. We also continue to work closely with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and remind the public that Wolf Lake and Eagle Lake are not open to boating due to water levels that could cause damage to personal property by wake or waves. Have a safe Fourth of July holiday weekend as we enjoy our Mississippi outdoors,” said Trudy D. Fisher, MDEQ Executive Director.
Several lake samples were found to have low oxygen levels. While this is not a threat to human health, it is the primary environmental concern for fish and aquatic life following flooding. Fish and other gill breathing animals need oxygen in the water to live. As flooded crops and other plant and animal material decay, they use up available oxygen in the water, sometimes causing a fish kill. Several of the lakes were found to have low oxygen including Wolf Lake, Lake George, and Tchula Lake. Several fish kills have been reported on Wolf Lake as a result of these low oxygen levels. To report a fish kill, call MEMA’s hotline at 1-800-222-6362
(Attachment – sampling locations map)
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