JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District has closed the swimming beach at W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area on the Caloosahatchee River near Alva due to concerns about water quality.
“Public safety is always our primary concern, so we have temporarily closed the swimming beach at the W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area,” said George Melanson, natural resource manager in the South Florida Operations Office in Clewiston. “We will let the public know as soon as possible when we are able to reopen the beach for their enjoyment.”
The closure was recommended by the Florida Department of Health after routine water test results returned with elevated levels of enterococcus bacteria. The Department of Health re-sampled water in the swim area this morning, and results should be available tomorrow.
For information on the W.P. Franklin Lock and Visitor Center, call 239-694-2582. Additional information can be found online at www.saj.usace.army.mil and then clicking the “Recreation” icon or http://1.usa.gov/1cmNXQK.
Release no. 15-002