Has e-coli spoiled the whole season? No!
MARK TWAIN LAKE, MO. -- All the beaches are open!
The latest water sample results released Wednesday, September 1st show there are no high levels of E-Coli on the beaches of Mark Twain Lake.
Even better, high water has retreated from Spalding Beach, allowing that to be open as well for the long Labor Day weekend.
This is all good news for businesses in the area.
Some businesses had been struggling while beaches were closed.
KHQA's Jarod Wells stopped in to see if this weekend will help them rebound.
With all the beaches open, people soon will be flocking to Mark Twain Lake for some family fun this Labor Day weekend.
Doug Smith said, "Labor Day weekend looks real good for us."
Doug Smith is the owner of Harbor Inn on Route J near Mark Twain Lake. He says he still has a few rooms open, but his reservation book has been filling up quick. Which is an excellent sign after some businesses slowed a little because of closed beaches.
Do you think this weekend will be enough to make up for what you lost over the summer?
Smith said, "Oh probably not. Three or four days doesn't take care of it. But I have seen an increase in room rentals and overall visitation I believe is up some."
A few miles down Route J, the owner of Cannon Dam General Store is expecting this weekend to be the busiest holiday of the year.
Owner Kurt Meyer said, "I think most of the people that are familiar with Mark Twain Lake know that Mark Twain Lake is a clean lake."
Another lake attraction, Mark Twain Landing, has booked all available rooms for the entire weekend. Unlike many other businesses in the area, high water and e-coli concerns have not had an impact all summer.
Mark Twain Landing General Manager Rita Owens said, "We haven't gotten much effect from it, because we are not on the system they are on. Our water has not been contaminated and actually we have had a really good season."
Mark Twain Lake May seem slow now, but all indications show things will be buzzing very shortly.
So all the beaches are open and all the tests show the water is safe, but we wanted to know if there still was any concern about swimming in the water, that answer was obvious.
Would you have any concern about e-coli with yourself or your kids swimming in Mark Twain Lake at this point?
Amanda Norton said, "No. As long as the tests come up negative, I'm fine with it."
What kind of things do you guys have planned?
Wayne Brewer and daughter Lauren said, "We're probably going to go on the water, camp out, probably grill some marshmallows, ride bikes, things like that."
Check out the video attached to this story and let us know what you think about comments made by Kurt Meyer, owner of Cannon Dam General Store regarding e-coli reports at Mark Twain Lake.
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And whatever your Labor Day weekend plans may entail be sure and check out KHQA's weather page and our Gas Buddy to make sure you and your family are completely prepared.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKHQA