Dangerous levels of E. coli have been found in some Arkansas lakes, leading the state Department of Health to close swimming areas.
According to the Arkansas Health Department, 11 beaches have been closed in the state.
Kerry Krell with the Arkansas Department of Health explained the high bacteria levels to THV11: “The high amount of rainfall is a large factor in these closures; runoff from the land surrounding the swim beaches picks up more bacteria (E. coli) that is naturally present in the waste of nearly all animals.”
The EPA safety threshold for E. coli in water is 126 parts for every 100 milliliters of water, but according to THV11, a sample from the Choctaw swim area was almost four times that much. The Department would have to receive two consecutive clean samples of lake water before reopening the beaches.
Certain strains of E. coli can cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- How Far Trump Would Go
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- Saving Seconds Is Better Than Hours
- Why Your Breakfast Should Start with a Vegetable
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Ryan Gosling
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Tessa Berenson at tessa.Rogers@time.com