Heavy rainfall temporarily closes Hop Brook Lake swimming area

MIDDLEBURY, Conn. (WTNH) – The swimming area of Hop Brook Lake is closed until further notice, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District (USACE) announced Friday.

Officials closed the area as a precautionary measure in anticipation of water quality problems due to excessive rainfall on May 23.

Increased water level and water turbidity (the level of particles such as sediment, plankton, or organic by-products) was due to the more than 1.7 inches of heavy rainfall, officials said.

The agency also knows water quality problems have developed in the lake during previous heavy amount of rainfall over short periods of time.

The swimming area will be tested regularly by USACE and will reopen when test results deem the are safe.

Other areas of recreation at Hop Brook Lake will remain open for normal operating hours.

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