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Columbia Missourian

E. coli levels close two Lake of the Ozarks beaches

By The Associated Press
June 24, 2009 | 8:36 p.m. CDT

KAISER — High concentrations of E. coli have prompted officials to close two public beaches at the Lake of the Ozarks.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources says it will reopen the beaches when tests show the water is safe for swimming. The closed beaches are located in the Lake of the Ozarks State Park near U.S. 54.

Officials are blaming the high E. coli levels on water runoff from recent storms and a large flock of geese.

Donna Swall, executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance, says the announcement doesn't worry many lake residents.

"It's just a natural process that any body of water goes through when it's flooded," she said.