This New Hampshire lake is unsafe for swimming, Canada geese are to blame

SURRY — Canada geese and their young have settled in a local lake in recent days, and their waste has made the water unsafe to swim in, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said.

Fecal bacteria levels at Surry Mountain Lake remained above New Hampshire’s safe swimming standard levels on July 15, after the elevated levels were first detected on July 9. The Army Corps tested the lake twice this week, and the levels were still high, according to Christie Baker, project manager for Surry Lake.

Baker said as many as 40 geese are in and around the lake and though there have been attempts to deter them, the flock’s size makes them difficult to remove.

Canada geese are federally protected through treaties, and it’s illegal to harm, capture or kill them.

Geese waste has bacteria and parasites that can cause skin rashes as well as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the N.H. Department of Environmental Services.

Baker said the Army Corps will retest bacteria levels at the lake next week.

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