Lake Charles Swim Beach Temporary Closing
On Friday, June 8th, the Arkansas Department of Health ordered that the swim beach at Lake Charles be closed temporarily.  This order affects only swimming at Lake Charles. The order came down because fecal coliform (CFU) levels were too high.  Fecal coliform is present in every body of water, but they can become too high for many reasons.  The lack of rain is a major factor.  The Arkansas Department of Health conducts regular water quality sampling and this is the first closure in almost ten years.
You can help keep levels in check; and the swim beach open by keeping pets off the beach and out of the water.  It is also important to make sure that all young children have appropriate swim wear.  Disposable diapers are not appropriate swim wear.
The swim beach will reopen as soon water quality tests indicate that CFU levels are within the acceptable range. Fishing, boating and camping are unaffected by the swim beach closure.   For the latest status updates on the swim beach closure, please click onwww.ArkansasStateParks.com and go to the Lake Charles page.