Lack of rain keeps Indiana lake bacteria levels down

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MONTICELLO — Drought conditions that are ravaging crops and landscaping across Indiana have at least a small silver lining for at least a couple popular lakes.

White County Environmental office Jim Reynolds tells the Herald Journal in Monticello that the lack of rainfall has led to low numbers of E. coli bacteria in Lakes Shafer and Freeman that are north of Lafayette.

The bacteria can cause diarrhea, pneumonia and other illnesses.

Health officials test for the bacteria twice a year on Lake Shafer that has the Indiana Beach amusement park along its shore and downstream at Lake Freeman. Reynolds says all but one of 25 sites tested measured E. coli at less than half the recommended levels.

More testing is expected to be done after Labor Day.