As fall begins, tourists planning to enjoy Missouri waterways and the sights of colorful fall foliage should take precautions due to reports of water contamination.
An analysis by the Environment America Research & Policy Center of water quality data collected in 2024 and 2025 found that 85% of Missouri’s recreational waterways had potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination on at least one day of testing. At 70% of locations, potentially unsafe levels were recorded on at least one in four days of testing.
The locations with the most persistent risks were Truman Lake in Benton County, Sycamore Creek in Newton County and Grand Glaize Greek in St. Louis County. In Columbia, Finger Lakes State Park had unsafe levels on one of its 30 test days…