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The Jamesville Beach swimming area in Lafayette is closed until further notice due to high levels of E. coli bacteria in the water. The Onondaga County Health Department made the decision after recent tests revealed unsafe bacteria levels, which can cause health issues such as vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps if individuals are exposed.
According to Syracuse.com, the swimming area faced a similar closure earlier this month due to algal blooms but had reopened on July 16. The rest of the park remains open, and other local beaches like Oneida Shores and Green Lakes continue to operate normally.
The cause of the elevated bacteria levels is not always clear. It can result from stormwater runoff, changes in the watershed from agriculture or construction, or naturally occurring bacteria in the sand and soil. Onondaga County Park officials are conducting daily tests and will reopen the beach once bacteria levels are deemed safe.
Updates on the beach's status can be found on the Onondaga County Parks website or by calling 315-435-6600.