PIEDMONT - Visitors to Piedmont Lake and Clendening Lake might notice the odor of rotten eggs around the area.
The U.S. Army Corpse of Engineers has detected the presence of hydrogen sulfide, a potentially harmful gas.
The Corps of Engineers noted that moderate exposure will result in symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, nausea and headaches. However, visitors who boat and fish on the lake should not be affected. Officials note that the complaints are centered in outlet works and behind the dam. So long as visitors stay away from the closed-off areas there should be no concerns.
Fishermen have continued to utilize the lake despite the irritating smell.
Wildlife should not be harmed by the gas, but it poses a hazard to small children.
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Public Affairs Administrator Darrin Lautenschleger said the odor could last through the summer.
"It's a naturally-occurring situation. It occurs almost every year around the dam," he said, noting that the phenomenon was caused by organic matter breaking down at the bottom of the lake and moving downstream.
He added that both lakes are safe for both recreation and fish consumption.
DeFrank can be reached at rdefrank@timesleaderonline.com
