CARLYLE LAKE — Testing at Carlyle Lake has shown that the water is safe and meeting all state and federal regulations for public use. As some popular recreation areas are impacted by high water, the water quality in Carlyle Lake has become a hot topic on social media

“We’ve had numerous calls from the public with questions about water quality at the lake, and we want people to know we are monitoring bacteria levels at Carlyle Lake to ensure the safety of our visitors and the overall health of the Lake,” said Joe Smothers, Natural Resource Specialist at Carlyle Lake for the Corps’ St. Louis District.

Analysis by the Corps of Engineers June 23 showed good water quality in 10 samples taken at four separate locations.
The Corps monitors water quality weekly, this is above the Illinois Department of Public Health state guidelines that call for.

Carlyle Lake to be tested for e. coli every two weeks. The Corps also does its own testing to protect water quality at the lake, looking for e. coli bacteria and more than a half dozen other factors that impact water quality.

Public safety is the Army Corps of Engineers’ first priority. The Corps of Engineers team at Carlyle Lake works tirelessly to ensure our visitors are safe while enjoying the outdoor recreation we provide.

“If samples indicate unsafe levels of any of the parameters monitored, immediate action is taken to protect our visitors’ health and well-being,” says Smothers.

In addition to e. coli bacteria, the Corps monitors for nitrogen, phosphates, pesticides, suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, pH levels, and more than half-dozen other parameters that impact water quality.