Officials issued a warning earlier this week against swimming at Don Carter State Park because of high bacteria levels in Lake Lanier.

Don Carter State Park, located on North Browning Bridge Road in Gainesville, has high levels of E. coli, Georgia State Parks spokeswoman Kim Hatcher told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The beach and surrounding park are open, but entering the water of Lake Lanier at that point is strongly discouraged.

The results of tests performed Tuesday are expected to be available on Thursday, Hatcher said.

Officials could not be sure of the source of the bacteria that could have come from humans or animals, Hatcher said.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com