E. Coli Counts at Acceptable Levels

(Photos right show crews hard at work and part of the west end cleaned up on September 24.)

Town officials decided to open the Ogden Dunes' beach today for swimming since E. coli counts have returned to acceptable levels.

For samples drawn by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on September 24 at the east end and Accessway #5, E. coli readings were respectively 118 colonies and 173 colonies per 100 ml. of water. The Environmental Protection Agency limit is 235 colonies per 100 ml. of water, which is when a beach closing should be posted. Swimmers should still utilize caution as debris and wood still lurks in the water.

Several residents have asked about E. coli levels in the sand. Samples taken by the USGS over a period of days have indicated that E. coli readings have been consistently low with readings being between the low-teens and the low-twenties per one gram of sand.

Clean up and burn efforts on the beach were stalled today due to a northeast wind, which would have unacceptably pushed all of the smoke from the fires into town. Residential beach fires are still prohibited for the time being. Contact Jim Matthis if you are interested in assisting in this effort once it resumes.

As reported in the Post Tribune today, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore officials, the Coast Guard and the Army Corp. of Engineers toured the Portage Lakefront Site yesterday. The United States Coast Guard will begin removing boats in that area very soon, especially those that are posing a hazard to navigation. Other plans are still pending.

Additional attention has been paid to the west end of the beach in preparation for the re-scheduled Family Night on the Beach to be held on October 4, 2008. Come celebrate our beach-cleaning success by joining the activities starting at 4:00 p.m., which includes the unique, once-a-year opportunity to camp overnight on the beach.

Festivities will include music by the Scoville Brothers, star-viewing with a telescope, food, a hula hoop contest, and more. Bring blankets to keep warm by a bonfire, as well as a dish to share. Contact Randi Light at 764-2259 to make your reservation. If it is raining, the event will be held overnight in the Fire Station with the band and most of the festivities.