Imperial County creates Wiest Lake challenge

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The Wiest Lake challenge in Imperial County is trying to squash unhealthy rumors surrounding the lake. 

The new challenge is being used to get residents to swim at the lake despite rumors, such as the lake containing "flesh-eating bacteria."

Imperial County closed the lake as local and state agencies conducted testing. The lake was reopened on June 30. 

Some residents say the county has not provided the test results and therefore, they won't be participating in the challenge. 

However, the Director of Public Works said only one test came back positive for bacteria.

“The state tested for four different types of bacteria in this particular place. One of them came back positive and the threshold for that requires to post a caution sign. That caution sign doesn’t limit lake use. Let's say water users use it as a swimming hole or to use the lake itself may be for fishing or skiing,” explained Director of Public Works John Gay.

The county said they will be conducting more testing on the lake and added there are many projects on the way to maintain the lake to keep it as safe as possible.