FOLKS volunteer finishes lake beach tests

When asked the question, Oconee County resident Bob Swank would not hesitate to swim in Lake Keowee.   On behalf of Friends of Lake Keowee, Swank completed a test for E.coli contaminants in the waters of Oconee and Pickens Lake Keowee beaches.  At all public and private beaches where he took samples. All except one complied in samples taken last summer to meet a new bacterial contaminant standard adopted by D-HEC, the Department of Health and Envrionmental Control.  Only Gap Hill Landing on the Pickens County side of Lake Keowee failed to meet the proper standard.  There, a dead fish was found.  Tracks made in beach areas by duck, geese, and dogs are never a good sign for water quality. However, it’s Swank’s opinion that the quality of Lake Keowee water remains good even though the lake is approaching 50 years of life.