Tioga, Pa. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, has closed Ives Run Beach on Hammond Lake after a routine water sample from the swimming area revealed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria.
The beach will remain closed to swimmers until follow-up water tests confirm that bacteria levels have returned to a safe range for public access. To ensure public awareness and prioritize safety, USACE has posted closure signs at the swimming beach.
While the Ives Run swimming area is temporarily closed, the rest of the recreation area remains open for day-use activities, including boat ramps and picnic shelters. Both Tioga and Hammond lakes also remain fully accessible for boating and fishing. Visitors are reminded that while other designated swimming areas across the lakes remain open on a swim-at-your-own-risk basis, everyone is urged to exercise caution and wear a life jacket when in or around the water.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a broad group of bacteria found naturally in the environment, foods, and the intestines of people and animals. While many strains are completely harmless, certain types can cause illness, including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting if accidentally swallowed.
Bacteria levels in freshwater bodies like Hammond Lake fluctuate daily based on precipitation, water inflow, and the presence of humans or waterfowl. Contamination typically originates near the shoreline rather than in deeper water. USACE conducts water quality tests weekly to closely monitor these changing conditions.
Updates on the beach's closure status will be posted on the official Tioga-Hammond Lakes website and the project’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thclakes.
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About Tioga-Hammond Lakes
The Tioga-Hammond Lakes project, located in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, is a unique water resources management system consisting of two separate dams: one on the Tioga River and the other along Crooked Creek. Operationally complete in 1978, the project features the 685 surface-acre Hammond Lake and the 498 surface-acre Tioga Lake, which are linked by a gated connecting channel. Both projects are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, to provide flood risk management, ecological stewardship, and diverse public recreation opportunities.
For additional information, visit the Tioga-Hammond Lakes website.