High bacteria levels at a creek in Kings Beach resulted in a health advisory being issued this week by Placer County Environmental Health.

Griff Creek is near highways 267 and 28. The advisory includes the creek near the highway road culvert and bridge where the creek widens and ponds.

Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board tested the water earlier this month and found E. coli levels that exceed state health guidelines for fresh water recreation areas. More tests will be taken until the creek is deemed safe.

The cause of the elevated bacteria is undetermined, but is most likely naturally occurring from area wildlife and may be associated with drought conditions that have resulted in reduced water flow rates that are warmer than normal within the creek drainage, according to Placer County officials.

“There is currently no health concern involving the waters of Lake Tahoe or any of the surrounding beaches at Lake Tahoe,” Wesley Nicks, director of Environmental Health for Placer County, said in a statement.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report