06/23/2025
Here’s the latest on Crown Lake (Crown Point Beach) in Horseshoe Bend, AR:
• The Arkansas Department of Health’s Swim Beach Program indicates that Crown Point Resort swim beach (SB290) was closed on June 20, 2025, due to E. coli levels exceeding the 126 CFU/100 mL standard .
• According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, swim beaches in the Horseshoe Bend area (including the day-use area and campground beach) are closed until two consecutive tests come back within acceptable limits .
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🔍 What You Can Do
1. Immediate Public Health Measures
• Beaches should remain closed and signage posted clearly.
• Avoid any water contact (No swimming, wading, boating or water toys).
2. Testing and Reopening Protocol
• The beach will be retested routinely. Two back-to-back samples under the EPA standard (≤ 126 CFU/100 mL) are required for reopening .
3. Investigate Source of Contamination
E. coli spikes typically originate from:
• Canada geese, wild hogs, human or livestock waste .
Steps to take:
• Survey nearby septic systems or drainage that could leak.
• Observe wildlife patterns at the lake—especially geese or hog presence.
• Coordinate testing with Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).
• If resources allow, source track samples to determine if contamination is human, animal, or wildlife.
4. Remedial Actions
• For wildlife: use deterrents for geese, restrict feeding, clean droppings.
• For feral hogs: implement trapping or exclusion zones around the beach.
• For septic runoff/ag fields: evaluate and repair systems, use buffer zones near runoff areas.
5. Community Communication
• Notify residents via county/city website and social media.
• Provide clear updates: when closures began, what actions are underway, expected timelines.
6. Reopen with Caution
• Once two consecutive safe samples are achieved, work with ADH and USACE for formal clearance.
• Consider posting a summary report outlining corrective measures taken to rebuild public trust.
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📞 Who to Contact
• Arkansas Dept. of Health (ADH) – Marine Sanitation / Swim Beach Program
• Arkansas Dept. of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) – Watershed & Source Water Protection
• USACE Beaver Lake Project Office – 479‑636‑1210 (for beach closure updates)