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7/31/25: Keatons Lake and Main Lake Updates

7/31/2025

UPDATE ON MAIN LAKE 7/31/25:
RSA Sewage Overflow UPDATE-Water sample results have been received for the cove bordered by Washington Street, Cornwallis Ave., and Surrey Lane. Samples collected throughout the cove where the sewage overflow occurred came back well below the VDH threshold ranging from 8.6 CFU/100mL to 52.0 CFU/100mL. Harpers Ferry Beach results (18.5 CFU/100mL) were also well below VDH threshold.

All Closures and swim advisories are LIFTED.
Harpers Ferry Beach and the cove are OPEN for water activities.

All other beaches on the Main Lake are OPEN. 

KEATONS LAKE:
Keatons Lake Boat Launch is OPEN to water activities.
Cumberland Beach is OPEN.

Keatons Lake: Keatons Lake boat launch results from 7/28 testing have been received: Keatons Lake Boat Launch-(193.5 CFU/100mL) OPEN.

The SWIM ADVISORY is LIFTED.
Keatons Lake boat launch is open to all water activities.
 

UPDATE ON MAIN LAKE 7/25:

Cornwallis Beach and Cove North of Cornwallis are OPEN. 
(Results from 7/24/25 testing were under the 235 CFU/100mL threshold)
All other beaches on the Main Lake are OPEN. 

KEATONS LAKE:
Cumberland Beach is OPEN.
Keatons Lake Boat Launch is CLOSED to water activities.

Keatons Lake results from 7/24 testing:
Cumberland Beach (77.6 CFU/100mL)- OPEN
Keatons Lake Boat Launch (1732.9 CFU/100mL)-CLOSED to water activities.

While the Keatons Lake Boat Launch remains open for loading and unloading of watercraft, members choosing to use it do so at their own risk. Swimming, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and other in-water activities (for both people and pets) should be avoided in the cove until follow-up testing confirms that E. coli levels have returned to a safe range.
 

To follow our Beach and Lake Statuses which includes water testing results CLICK HERE
 


UPDATE ON MAIN LAKE 7/24:
July 21 E. coli Testing results have been received for Main Lake and Keatons Lake.

MAIN LAKE SWIM ADVISORY:
The COVE North of Cornwallis Beach, adjacent to Cornwallis Avenue andWoodlawn Trail is under SWIM Advisory.
Cornwallis Beach is under a SWIM ADVISORY.

Main Lake:The Cove north of Cornwallis Beach (located off of Cornwallis Ave. and Woodlawn Trail) samples were received showing elevated E coli levels. Cornwallis Beach and the cove north of that beach are under a Swim Advisory.
Cornwallis Beach (365.4 CFU/100mL) is under a SWIM Advisory.

While this beach and cove are open, members swim and engage in water activities at their own risk until test results confirm lower E. coli concentrations at these locations. This advisory is in place to help protect the health and safety of all users.
All other beaches on the Main Lake are OPEN.
All other beaches tested below the VDH beach advisory threshold of 235 CFU/100mL

Keatons Lake:
Cumberland Beach (727 CFU/100mL)-CLOSED
Keatons Lake boat launch (1732.9 CFU/100mL)-CLOSED

Members who live in or near the cove near Cumberland Beach and Keatons Lake Boat launch should avoid swimming, windsurfing, and stand-up paddle-boarding as well as any other activities that may pose a risk of ingesting water until test results confirm lower E. coli concentrations at these locations. 

To follow our Beach and Lake Statuses which includes water testing results CLICK HERE
 


Keatons Lake Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Update 7/18/25:

Keatons Lake IS OPEN for Recreational Use WITH A SWIM ADVISORY FOR KEATONS RUN BOAT LAUNCH AND INLET AREA DUE TO ELEVATED E. coli CONCENTRATIONS . 
The July 7 samples and the July 15 samples were both below any closure or advisory threshold for PTOX concentration in the LOWA Harmful Algal Bloom Response Protocol. 

FURTHER TESTING:  E. coli samples for Keatons lake were collected on 07/17/2025 at Cumberland Beach and at the Keaton’s Lake Boat Launch.

Results:
Cumberland Beach (34.5 CFU/100mL) OPEN FOR USE
Keatons Run Boat Launch (727 CFU/100mL): SWIM ADVISORY FOR BOAT LAUNCH AND INLET AREA.REFERENCE MAP FOR AREA UNDER SWIM ADVISORY.

*While KEATONS BOAT LAUNCH AND INLET AREA are open, members swim and engage in water activities at their own risk until test results confirm lower E. coli concentrations at these locations. This advisory is in place to help protect the health and safety of all users. E. coli concentrations were elevated above the Virginia Department of Health recommended beach threshold (235CFU/100ml).
 

KEATONS LAKE HAB CONDITIONS UPDATE: A second set of water samples were collected by LOWA staff on July 15. Results were received July 17. Potentially toxigenic bacteria (PTOX) at all sample sites were less than 40 cells/mL. The July 7 samples and the July 15 samples were both below any closure or advisory threshold for PTOX concentration in the LOWA Harmful Algal Bloom Response Protocol.

Consistent with the protocol, we can now reopen Keatons lake to recreational use WITH A SWIM ADVISORY FOR KEATONS RUN BOAT LAUNCH AND INLET AREA DUE TO ELEVATED E. coli CONCENTRATIONS.

July 16, SOLitude Lake Management conducted the second phase of the two-part algaecide treatment.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to ensure the lake is safe for use. We will provide another update as soon as new E. coli test results are available.

Per LOWA HAB Response Plan, reopening Keatons Lake requires:

  1. Waiting at least 48 hours after treatment for product efficacy.
  2. Conducting post-treatment testing to confirm reduced PTOX levels.(samples collected 7/7, Results 7/16. Potentially toxigenic bacteria (PTOX) at all sample sites were less than 40 cells/ml.)
  3. Conducting a second round of testing approximately one week later. (samples collected 7/15, Results were received 7/17 and all sample sites were less than 40 cells/ml.)
  4. Ensuring all sample results fall below closure and advisory thresholds. The July 7 samples and the July 15 samples were both below any closure or advisory threshold for PTOX algae density in the LOWA Harmful Algal Bloom Response Protocol. Consistent with the protocol, we can now reopen Keatons lake to recreational use.

LOWA HAB Response Protocol:
Lake Closure- threshold exceeding PTOX 50,000 cells/mL.
Lake Advisory- threshold exceeding PTOX 10,000 cell/mL.

 


UPDATE: 7/16/2025:  Keatons Lake REMAINS CLOSED for Recreational Use Due to Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) conditions. 

July 11 testing results for Clubhouse Beach have been received and were below the VDH threshold (235 CFU/100mL) at 30.1 CFU/100mL.
Clubhoue Beach is OPEN for water activities. 
All beaches on the Main Lake ARE OPEN. 

KEATONS LAKE UPDATE: Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Update 7/16

Post-treatment water samples collected on July 8 (after the first algaecide treatment on July 2) showed an average potentially toxigenic cyanobacteria (PTOX) cell density of 1,190 cells/mL, with the highest result at 1,500 cells/mL across three testing locations. 

These results indicate the treatment was effective in reducing algae levels.

Consistent with LOWA’s HAB Response Plan and out of an abundance of caution, the lake will remain closed until a second round of testing confirms that PTOX cell counts remain below the safe threshold for reopening.

Next steps:

  • A second set of water samples was collected by LOWA staff on July 15 and submitted to the lab.
  • Results are expected by the end of Friday, July 18, or early next week.
  • Today, July 16, SOLitude Lake Management is conducting the second phase of the two-part algaecide treatment.​

Per LOWA HAB Response Plan, reopening Keatons Lake requires:

  1. Waiting at least 48 hours after treatment for product efficacy.
  2. Conducting post-treatment testing to confirm reduced PTOX levels.(samples collected 7/7) RESULTS NOTED ABOVE.
  3. Conducting a second round of testing approximately one week later. (samples collected 7/15)
  4. Ensuring all sample results fall below closure and advisory thresholds. (LOWA HAB Response Protocol, Lake Closure threshold exceeding PTOX 50,000 cells/mL and Advisory Level threshold exceeding PTOX 10,000 cell/mL)

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KEATONS LAKE UPDATE 7/14/25:
SOLitude treated Keatons Lake 07/02/25. Algae samples were collected 7/7/2025. (Timeline on receiving algae results have been more variable than E. coli results, taking about a week.)

Per LOWA HAB Response Plan, reopening Keatons Lake requires:

  • Waiting at least 48 hours after treatment for product efficacy.
  • Conducting post-treatment testing to confirm reduced PTOX levels.(SAMPLES TAKEN 7/7/25)
  • Conducting a second round of testing approximately one week later.
  • Ensuring all sample results fall below closure and advisory thresholds.
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The Lake of the Woods Environmental Resources Department is actively monitoring water quality conditions at our beaches and continuing an accelerated testing schedule in response to elevated E. coli levels following recent weather events. Below is a summary of what has occurred, the steps we’ve taken, and what members can expect next.
What Happened:
After the significant storm over the weekend of June 15, routine water testing was conducted by SOLitude on June 17 as part of our regular summer E. coli monitoring. When results were returned on June 24, some locations showed elevated E. coli levels, with the highest reading at Skyline Beach (365.4 CFU/100mL), exceeding the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) advisory threshold of 235 CFU/100mL.
Although these readings were elevated, they were not extreme. LOWA responded by issuing a “beach advisory” recommending limited water contact at the affected sites out of an abundance of caution.

Accelerated Testing:
To ensure faster results and real-time monitoring, LOWA staff began internal testing starting June 23, personally delivering water samples to the Environmental Solutions lab (ESS) in Culpeper.
June 23 Testing Results (Received June 27):
Results showed significantly elevated levels at Pleasant Grove Beach (1203.3 CFU/100mL), prompting a full closure of that beach. Other beaches were reopened, as their E. coli levels had dropped below the advisory threshold.
June 27 Testing Results (Received June 30):
These results showed a return of elevated E. coli levels at some locations. Advisories were issued for Ramsay and Clubhouse Beaches, while Mt. Pleasant Beach was closed due to a very high reading of 2,420 CFU/100mL, more than 10 times the advisory threshold.
June 30 Testing Results (Received July 1):
Advisories were issued for Edgemont, Clubhouse, Mt. Pleasant, and Skyline Beaches. Pleasant Grove Beach remained closed with a reading of 2419.6 CFU/100mL
July 2 Samples (Results received July 3): Mt. Pleasant Beach (687 CFU/100ml) and Edgemont Beach (980.4 CFU/100ml) were closed. A swim advisory was issued for Pleasant Grove Beach (387.3 CFU/100ml).
July 7 Samples (Results received July 9): See full results at Beach and Lake Statuses page
ADDITIONALLY:
Open Water Sample (7/7) Results (7/9):
Offshore Ramsay open water site (6.3 CFU/100ml)
Offshore Pleasant Grove site (12.1 CFU/100ml)
Offshore Clubhouse by the ski ramp (14.8 CFU/100ml) 

Possible Causes:
E. coli are a set of bacteria whose primary habitat is in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals including humans, pets, livestock, geese and other wildlife. E. coli reaches the water through fecal contamination from the above-mentioned animal sources. Usually, it is spread either through direct fecal input (e.g a goose defecating directly into the lake), or when stormwater runoff which has made contact with fecal material or is carrying contaminated sediments enters the lake (e.g stormwater running through a ditch containing animal waste). Once in the water, E. coli is no longer in its natural habitat and in most conditions begins to die quickly over a period of several days. While not its natural habitat, E. coli does have more ability to persist when trapped within sediments, though this depends on specific conditions. Additionally, the primary risk for E. coli in swimming areas is driven directly by nearshore conditions and fecal inputs in that immediate vicinity. E. coli levels at beaches are typically not linked to watershed wide E. coli loading or open lake conditions.
 
Sewer Infrastructure Check
In response to community concerns, LOWA has coordinated closely with the Rapidan Service Authority. RSA continues to monitor their systems in collaboration with LOWA.

What’s Next:
LOWA will continue testing at beach locations with elevated levels until E. coli levels remain safely below health-based thresholds along with standard testing at beaches within safe levels. All updates on beach advisories or closures will be communicated promptly as new data becomes available.
Member safety remains our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we manage these evolving conditions. Please continue to follow posted signs at each beach location and stay tuned for additional updates.

To follow our Beach and Lake Statuses which includes water testing results CLICK HERE

To Learn More About Swimming Advisories and other Safe Swimming Topics explore the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Swim Healthy, Virginia webpage. CLICK HERE

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Keatons Lake CLOSED for Recreational Use Due to Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) conditions.
KEATONS LAKE UPDATE 6/30/25: 

Keatons Lake is closed to recreational use until further notice.

Algae Identification test results for Keatons lake from 06/25/2025 indicate that Keaton’s lake had potentially toxic cyanobacteria (PTOX) concentrations ranging from 22,600 – 89,900 cells/ml depending on location.

Lake of the Woods Harmful Algal Bloom Response Protocol sets a lake closure threshold at PTOX values greater than 50,000 cells/ml. For that reason, Keatons lake will remain closed until further testing results indicate that algae concentrations are below the closure threshold. Algae control treatments will be applied in Keatons Lake to control excessive algae concentrations. Updates will be posted when test results are received and reviewed.

FOR WATER QUALITY  TESTING RESULTS ON BOTH LAKES CLICK HERE.
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LEARN MORE about Keatons Lake HAB Conditions Click HERE

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