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MOHAVE COUNTY – The National Park Service (NPS) and the Mohave County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) have issued advisories urging the public to avoid specific areas of Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu due to different public health threats. An NPS biologist swim beach monitoring and testing program has detected contamination at Princess Cove and North Arizona Telephone Cove.

Bacterial levels in water samples taken at those locations at Lake Mohave have exceeded local, state and National Park Service standards for recreational activity.

“Visitors should avoid contact with these waters until further notice,” a news release stated. “Biologists are re-sampling the water daily, and once levels return to acceptable levels, the advisory will be lifted.”

NPS spokeswoman Christie Vanover said fecal coliform bacteria spikes are often caused by people dumping RV or vessel sewage into the water. She said free dump stations are available at all park campgrounds.

The MCDPH is urging the public to avoid the Body Beach area at Lake Havasu. Surveillance has verified mosquitos testing positive for the West Nile Virus in that area.

Insect repellent, long-sleeve shirts and long pants and avoiding outdoor activities at dawn and dusk are recommended for reducing risk of mosquito contact.