Lake Wānaka 'no swimming' signage a precaution

A 'no swimming' sign erected on a beach on Lake Wānaka has been removed after a council inspection deemed the water in the area to be clean.

The public health warning appeared on the lakeside near the town's popular Dinosaur Park on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the Queenstown Lakes District Council says the signage was put up where Bullock Creek flows into the lake as a precaution after a member of the public contacted the council's customer services team to report the creek was running cloudy.

"Council contractors investigated along the creek but found no visual evidence of contamination and the water was clear.

"Water at the outflow has been tested with results to follow in due course. Signage has now been taken down."

However the spokesperson is cautioning members of the public to consider conditions before opting to swim in local waterways in the days ahead.

MetService has issued a heavy rain warning for the district for 24 hours from 4pm.

"It’s a good opportunity to remind people of the general advice from Land Air Water Aotearoa and Otago Regional Council to avoid swimming for at least two days after heavy or prolonged rain, even for sites that have good water quality."

The pollution threat comes weeks after water testing in Lake Wānaka after several days of heavy rain showed E. coli levels high enough to put the health of swimmers at risk.

More information on safe swimming and possible pollution can be found here:

Main image (Supplied/Lauren Pattemore): The Queenstown Lakes District Council on Tuesday erected a 'no swimming' sign on the beach where Bullock Creek flows into Lake Wānaka as a precaution.