Spring Canyon illness was a mystery

Apparent illnesses at Spring Canyon brought to light by a Facebook post apparently stopped on their own, officials said last week, although details were scant.

“There are no facts,” stated Kim Hines at Lincoln County Public Health, noting the local clinic had recorded no cases of vomiting or diarrhea complained of by several people on the social media site after a commenter just wanted to find out how many might have been affected by whatever it was July 27-28.

The Colville Tribal Health Dept. and the National Park Service each took samples of the water and had it tested, officials said, with the tribes issuing a “Public Health Notice” saying the swimming was not advised on Lake Roosevelt from Spring Canyon to the “new Keller boat dock,” an apparent reference to a new ferry dock.”

The tribes later issued a statement that Spring Canyon was safe, but noted “mildly elevated levels” of biological contaminants found at the Keller dock area, still judged “generally safe” but with caution urged for children and people with existing health concerns.

Tribal health officials did not return calls seeking clarification and more detail. The National Park Service had no details from their sample yet.