GAYLORD — The Health Department of Northwest Michigan has issued a full body advisory for the beach at Otsego Lake State Park after water samples showed elevated E. coli levels.

A sample collected on Tuesday measured 1,986.3 E. coli per 100 milliliters of water, nearly double the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy threshold of 1,000 per 100 ml for issuing a full body advisory. The advisory is posted at the beach, located at 7136 Old US Highway 27 South in Gaylord.

Officials recommend swimmers use other area beaches while monitoring continues. Water sampling is conducted throughout the summer to track E. coli levels at public beaches, which can change frequently due to factors like the presence of waterfowl and wave activity.

When results trigger an advisory, fol

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