Rough River Lake, Ky. – The Army Corps of Engineers is closing the North Fork Beach effective immediately due to high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. The beach will remain closed until further notice.

Testing results taken last week from the North Fork Beach revealed high levels of bacteria. The swimming beaches are tested weekly during the recreation season. Fecal coliform bacteria can enter rivers through direct discharge of waste from mammals and birds, from agricultural and storm runoff, and from untreated human sewage.

The Corps’ Axtel beach and the Rough River State Park Beach are currently open and will remain open during the Labor Day weekend.

The bacterium is isolated to this location and the Corps will continue to test the lake’s water quality.

The Corps is issuing the Rough River beach closure prior to the Labor Day weekend for public planning purposes with the expectation that this beach will remain closed through the weekend and until further notice.