[VIDEO] Silver Beach Closed Due to E. coli

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There was no swimming Tuesday at Silver Beach County Park or Rocky Gap County Park.

The Berrien County Parks Department tells WSJM News they’ve put up red flags at both beaches due to high waves and a rip current warning from the National Weather Service. But there’s another issue at Silver Beach that’s closed it for the first time in a few years.

“The [Berrien County] Health Department in their standard procedures on Monday sampled the water, and the results came back this morning, and there’s high E. coli at Silver Beach,” said Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey.

Bailey says it’s the first time this year the beach has been closed for a high E. coli count, and it didn’t happen at all last year. The sample came back at 610 E. coli per 100 milliliters, just over double the amount considered safe for swimming according to the Berrien County Health Department.

It’s the fourth time this year that a beach in Berrien County has been closed due to E. coli. Back in June, the health department found elevated levels at Weko Beach, Cherry Beach and Warren Dunes.

The water at Silver Beach will continue to be tested, and the beach will reopen for swimming once those levels drop and the rip current warning expires.