High E.coli bacterium counts persist in Avocado Lake for a consecutive second year
In Fresno County, California, a concerning spike in E. Coli levels has been detected at Avocado Lake, prompting health officials to issue a warning to the public. This development was announced by Matthew Gore, an environmental health specialist with the Fresno County Department of Public Health.
The water quality at Avocado Lake has exceeded California’s state safety limits for recreational water, as revealed by a water sample collected on July 30, 2025. The E. Coli classification that day was over 2,400, a significant increase that has caught the attention of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Chris Bernal, the Fresno County Parks manager, encourages visitors to exercise caution when visiting Avocado Lake. He advises against drinking, cooking with, or using the water for washing dishes at the lake. Bernal also recommends showering and washing hands thoroughly after entering the water.
The high E. Coli levels are linked to fecal contamination from environmental sources such as wildlife, livestock runoff, or failing septic systems. The county will continue to monitor the water at Avocado Lake and update the public weekly.
This is not the first time that elevated levels of E. Coli have been found at Avocado Lake. Last year, the levels fluctuated week to week. The source or reasoning for the raised levels this year remains unclear, as the water flows in from the King's River.
The high levels of E. Coli increase the risk of illness. It is unknown when health officials will deem it safe to swim at Avocado Lake. In the meantime, the authorities are conducting weekly water sampling and using syndromic surveillance to track any illness potentially related to E. coli exposure.
For the latest water quality data and updates, the public is advised to visit the Fresno County Department of Public Health's website. Stay informed and stay safe!
[1] Fresno County Department of Public Health: Avocado Lake Water Quality Advisory [3] Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board: Avocado Lake E. Coli Levels Exceed Safety Limits
- The concerning E. Coli spike at Avocado Lake, detected on July 30, 2025, can potentially lead to medical-conditions, emphasizing the importance of health-and-wellness precautions such as avoiding drinking, cooking with, or using the water for washing dishes at the lake.
- In addition to health concerns, the high E. Coli levels at Avocado Lake indicate a need for further investigation in environmental-science to identify the source of the contamination and mitigate the risk, particularly as the water flows into King's River.
