The riverfront beach at Gunpowder Falls State Park, closed since last week because of high levels of fecal coliform bacteria, could reopen as early as this afternoon, a park official said yesterday.
The latest tests, conducted on samples taken Monday at the park, showed that the levels no longer exceeded state safety standards, said Gary Haslam, manager of the park's Hammerman area. He said another water sample was taken yesterday.
The results of that test are expected this afternoon, he said, adding that if the levels are found to be safe the beach will reopen immediately.
The Hammerman beach has been closed since Thursday, when tests showed bacteria levels that exceeded state standards. Officials of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources have said the elevated bacteria count probably was caused by high temperatures, runoff from rain and waterfowl droppings.
Middle River's Miami Beach also was closed last weekend because of high bacteria levels.
