Swimmer's itch to close area beach for two days

'Swimmer's itch' will close Washington County beach for two days.

Last update: June 25, 2009 - 11:35 PM

The swimming beach at Big Marine Park Reserve in Washington County will be closed to swimmers Tuesday and Wednesday for the treatment of swimmer's itch.

Parasites cause the condition, which can create an itching sensation similar to poison ivy, said Adam Griebie, program coordinator for the county's parks division. The county will kill the parasite with a copper sulfate, a chemical treatment, he said.

"There should be no effects after those two days," he said.

Lifeguards will be on duty and the beach will be open through Monday and will reopen Thursday. About a third of swimmers are sensitive to the itch and it's recommended that they shower and dry off with a towel after leaving the water, Griebie said.

The swimming beach at Big Marine Park Reserve has a shower facility.

Other Washington County Park swimming beaches will remain open, he said. A nearby alternative is Square Lake Park's swimming beach, which has 950 feet of sandy beach and is about eight miles southeast of Big Marine Park Reserve. The spring-fed lake is one of the cleanest and clearest lakes in the region, he said.

Square Lake is at 15450 Square Lake Trail N., Stillwater. From Hwy. 36, follow County Road 15 (Manning Avenue N.) to the north. Stay on County Road 15 for 7 miles to County Road 7 (Square Lake Trail). Turn right (east) onto County Road 7 and follow for 4 miles. Turn left into the park. Or from Hwy. 95, follow County Road 59 (Square Lake Trail N.) to the west for 2 miles to County Road 7. Turn left (west) on County Road 7 and turn right into the park.

Griebie said that swimmer's itch appears on other Washington County beaches from time to time, usually at the end of June and in July.

For more information about the closure, call the Big Marine Park Reserve at 651-430-8200.

KEVIN GILES

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