“We are aware of (the bacteria),” she said. “ The kids are not in the water. They are on the kayaks. We are praying they do not flip the kayaks.”
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The contamination has been an ongoing issue for years, and there have been multiple efforts to clean up the lake, park and health officials said, noting that the high levels of toxins can cause rashes and vomiting.
The park recently built a swimming pool on the state park’s camping grounds, giving people an alternative for swimming.
“We are from the Cincinnati area, so we weren’t aware of the restrictions for the lake when we got here,” said Joseph Dane, who traveled to the park with his family with the sole purpose of swimming in the lake. “Good thing they had the pool because if not we would not have a lot going on.”
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For those who opt to continue kayaking and taking part in other activities in the lake, health officials recommend that you shower and change your clothes immediately after each outing to prevent illness.
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