Park Service warning: Stay out of Lake Mead near Overton Arm

The National Park Service is advising swimmers to stay out of Lake Mead near the Overton Arm after dead carp have started to surface there, the result of an unknown foamy substance now under investigation by the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

The agency announced late Saturday that the water authority is taking water samples for analysis and will continue to monitor water quality closely at its two water treatment facilities.

The white substance is coming from the mouth of the Virgin River, stretching eight miles to Echo Bay, the Park service said.

“Until we know for sure what is creating the foam and what is causing the fish to die, we advise people to stay out of the water in the Overton Arm,” said Christie Vanover, a park spokeswoman.

The water authority said drinking water delivered to Southern Nevadans will still continue to meet or surpass the standards of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act despite this development.

Contact reporter Tom Ragan at tragan@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512.