BLA finds E. Coli above recommended levels in Boone Lake

A local nonprofit group found E. coli levels above the recommended level for swimming near a popular Boone Lake swimming spot earlier this month. The Boone Lake Association’s regular water sampling showed highly elevated E. coli levels on Aug. 2 that were beyond the safe levels for water recreation at two testing points, including one near Boone Dam’s swimming beach. The tests were repeated on Aug. 5 and Aug. 13 and found still elevated, but lower, levels. The elevated levels could come from cattle or other livestock grazing in or near waterways and recent runoff from excessive rainfall. The association has reported the findings to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.