Washtenaw County Health Department has reopened Sugarloaf Lake. Sugarloaf Lake Beach is in the Waterloo State Recreation Area in Lyndon Township, 5000 Loveland Road, Chelsea. The high of E. coli bacteria were detected through routine testing done at public bathing beaches during the summer months. Follow-up testing has now shown the bacteria levels are lower and the lake is considered safe for swimming.
E. coli bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems. The Michigan Public Health Code allows for public beach closures if E. coli bacteria levels exceed set thresholds.
Individuals with questions or concerns regarding public beach water sampling, or those who believe they may have become ill after swimming in the impacted waters, are encouraged to call the Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division at 734-222-3800 during normal business hours, or visit www.washtenaw.org/envhealth.
For the most updated information on public beaches, as well as a listing of water sample results, please visit the Michigan BeachGuard website at www.egle.state.mi.us/beach.