Swimming advisory issued for Shuswap Lake beach

Swimming is not recommended at a community park in on Shuswap Lake since high bacterial counts have been found in recent water samples.

The swimming area at the Caen Road Community Park, located at 1255 Dieppe Rd. in Sorrento, has been placed on a swimming advisory today, Aug. 23, according to a news release from the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.

The park is not closed but Interior Health is advising due to the elevated water sample results, there is an increased risk and swimming is not recommended at this time, the regional district said.

The advisory will be rescinded once acceptable bacteria levels are shown.

Interior Health reports there can be a number of reasons for elevated levels including wildlife, such as geese, causing an increase in bacteria levels. The weather can also play a factor, with temperature increasing bacterial growth. 

Caen Road Community Park will remain open for day use. Young children tend to ingest a lot of water when they are at the beach so they are at higher risk.

Check the regional district's website here for updates on the status of the swimming area. For further questions, contact the regional district at 250-832-8194.

Information can also be found on Interior Health's website here.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

Carli Berry

Carli Berry has been telling stories in the Okanagan for the past three years and after finding her footing in the newspaper industry, joined the Infonews team in January 2020. Recipient of the 2019 MA Murray award for feature writing, Carli is passionate about stories that involve housing, business and the environment. Born on Vancouver Island, she is happy to say Okanagan Lake reminds, her slightly, of the ocean. Carli can be reached at (250) 864-7494 or email cberry@infonews.ca.