BARNARD — Silver Lake State Park’s swimming area reopened Wednesday morning after being closed for about 24 hours, Chief of Park Operations Reuben Allen confirmed early Wednesday afternoon.

The park’s beach was closed Tuesday morning when a routine water test revealed high levels of E. coli, which the Vermont Department of Health considers an indicator bacteria that shows that there may also be other “disease-causing microorganisms” in the water. 

Following the closure, park staff took a second water sample. Results came back Wednesday morning showing safe E. coli levels, enabling staff to reopen for swimming, Allen said. 

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources performs weekly water testing for E. coli and cyanobacteria at all state park swimming areas. Data is posted online at vtstateparks.com/swimming.

In New Hampshire, fecal bacteria and cyanobacteria warnings are posted online at des.nh.gov/water/healthy-swimming/healthy-swimming-mapper.