Swimming Temporarily Banned At 3 CT State Parks: CTDEEP

Wallingford CT

17 August, 2021

11:19 AM

Description

CONNECTICUT — Gardner Lake State Park in Salem, and Wharton Brook State Park in Wallingford, were closed to swimming Tueesday due to elevated levels of bacteria in the water, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Samples from both bodies of water were scheduled to be retested, but the test results will not be available for one or two days. As such, when the two will reopen to swimming had not been confirmed. In addition to Gardner Lake and Wharton Brook, the swimming area at Mashamoquet Brook State Park in Pomfret remains closed due to ongoing maintenance at the facility. Each week, state officials collect water samples from swimming areas to determine whether bacteria indicator levels are safe. Heavy rains can lead to elevated levels of bacteria in the water. "Indicator bacteria are not disease-causing pathogens but are one of the tools used by public health and environmental protection authorities to evaluate the potential for contamination of waterbodies," CTDEEP officials said. The following state parks were open to swimming on Tuesday: SHORELINEHammonasset Beach State Park, MadisonRocky Neck State Park, NianticSherwood Island State Park, WestportSilver Sands State Park, Milford LAKES AND PONDSBlack Rock State Park, WatertownBurr Pond State Park, TorringtonChatfield Hollow State Park, KillingworthCockaponset State Forest (Pattaconk), ChesterDay Pond State Park, ColchesterGay City State Park, HebronHopeville Pond State Park Griswold OPENIndian Well State Park, SheltonLake Waramaug State Park, KentMount Tom State Park, LitchfieldPachaug State Forest (Green Falls Pond), VoluntownQuaddick State Park, ThompsonSquantz Pond State Park, New FairfieldStratton Brook State Park, SimsburyWadsworth Falls State Park, Middlefield