MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Unhealthy bacteria could keep one of Marion County's most popular swimming holes closed during Labor Day weekend. However, you can still dive, boat and even tube in the same water off KP Hole Park on the Rainbow River.
WFTV asked health officials Monday why those activities are still permitted.
KP Hole Park on the spring-fed Rainbow River is one of the most popular swimming spots in Central Florida. Chris Tipton and his buddies drove more than an hour to get there Monday, only to get some bad news.
"This is a public place. People want to swim in it," Tipton said.
But the swimming area is closed by order of the Marion County Health Department. The water is absolutely crystal clear, but it's what you can't see that can hurt you. High levels of microscopic, fecal bacteria, is in the river, and the timing of the discovery couldn't be worse.
"Coming up to the Labor Day weekend, it's the last weekend before we experience fall weather. We do understand that's a bad time," said Johnny Thompson, Health Department.
Thompson says, even though it's one of the park's busiest weekends of the year, swimming may have to be off-limits. Officials will allow tubers and scuba divers off the same pier, but only because those activities are in deeper water.
"The way the law is written, if they're in that shallow area, which is the swimming and bathing area, those are the areas we're legally allowed to close. And we do that for the protection of our citizens," Thompson said.
It's been more than a year since swimming had to be temporarily banned. Birds are the likely case of the bacteria, but it didn't stop Tipton and friends. Tubing is still allowed, so tubing it is.
The Health Department said it may be able to re-test the water in the next day or two. If bacteria levels drop, the swimming hole could re-open for the weekend.