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Beach At Beltzville Closed Again

No swimming at Beltzville State Park on the hottest day of the summer, too much bacteria in the water. pic.twitter.com/7SUP2zdC6g — Jon Meyer (@JonMeyerWN...
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BELTZVILLE STATE PARK -- In many parts of our area, Wednesday was the hottest day of the summer so far, but one popular swimming spot in Carbon County was off limits.

Again.

Beltzville State Park once again found too much bacteria in the water and closed the beach on this hot summer day, turning away many hot park-goers looking to cool off.

One group after another showed up with all kinds of beach gear looking for a spot to cool off at Beltzville State Park near Lehighton. But on this hottest day of the summer so far, they found signs saying beach closed, no swimming.

"It's a very big disappointment. I was going to jump in the water!"

A crew from the Philadelphia area packed up the car as soon as we told them it wasn't even worth hauling their stuff to the beach. They came to swim at Beltzville instead of going to the New Jersey shore.

"Last time we went to Ocean City, people were afraid to go in the water because of all the shark sightings, so we thought we'd come here because it's closer, plus it's nice and cool," said Philadelphia resident Mary Roffe.

No sharks in the water here, just bacteria. State officials say it's too much for safe swimming. It's a recurring problem at this beach.

"We got here pretty early," said Emanuel Khodorovsky of Brooklyn. "They didn't put up the signs and then what happened was we were swimming and they said everyone should get out of the water and they started putting up the signs."

The family from Brooklyn hung out in the shade a bit before heading home.

A couple from Coaldale decided to stay in the sun, even though they couldn't cool off.

"We know it does happen, quite a bit so we just took a chance," said Kate Pfeiffer.

Those who come to the park say this summer hasn't been that bad up until now, that most of the summer swimming has been allowed. Of course, the timing on a day like this is pretty bad.

"It's been relatively good this year," said Connor Hoglan from Towamensing Township. "There hasn't been too much bacteria but you get your occasional spurts of when it happens and it's pretty sad."

The park put up a sign at the entrance, but many people went right by that, only to find their place to beat the heat was closed.

"I just want to get wet, not really even swim, but I'm not going to take the chance," said Pfeiffer.

DCNR officials said the beach will remain closed until acceptable bacterial levels are measured.

Beltzville State Park remains open for other park activities.

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