CASTAIC LAKE : Swimming Areas Closed Because of Bacteria Count

All four swimming areas in Castaic Lake--a popular recreation area in the Santa Clarita Valley--were closed indefinitely Thursday because human waste bacteria in the water is expected to reach levels considered harmful this weekend, Los Angeles County officials said.

The closing of beaches on the west side of the lake’s lower portion, which attract as many as 700,000 swimmers annually, is a precautionary measure, said Brian Roney, assistant superintendent of the Castaic Lake recreation area. The county-operated, state-owned facility will remain open for boating, fishing, water-skiing and windsurfing, he said.

No reported illnesses have resulted this year from the presence of organisms in the water, health officials said, but it was expected that bacteria counts would rise during crowded summer weekends if more swimmers were allowed in the water.