MT. AIRY — Forestry officials in north Georgia said they want swimmers to stay out of Lake Russell in Habersham County.
Recent water samples tested positive for high levels of fecal coliform bacteria and that has prompted rangers with the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Service to close the swimming area at Lake Russell.
Rangers perform tests on the water on a weekly basis. Signs posted at the 100-acre lake in Mt. Airy said the beach will re-open as soon as bacteria levels drop.
The signs warn people not to swim or wade in the lake. They also urge fishermen to thoroughly clean any fish they might catch before consumption.
There's no word on where the unhealthy levels of bacteria might have originated.
