Contamination in the lake Coeur d'Alene

We have booked a week at a cabin on the lake for myself, my husband and three kids. I just found out on the internet that there is significant heavy metal contamination in the lake. According to Wikipedia, swimmers are advised to shower well after being in the lake.

Does anyone know if this continues to be a significant problem and if so, is it worse in particular area of the lake or is it everywhere. Do the locals swim in it? Do I need to be concerned? Any advice would be great.

Contamination in the lake Coeur d'Alene

1. Heavy metals were a result of mining occurring in the Silver Valley to the east of Lake Coeur d%26#39; Alene (Wallace - Kellogg area of Idaho), the runoff from those mines migrated to the lake via the Coeur d%26#39; Alene River which enters the lake at its midpoint on the east side near Harrison, Idaho. The Coeur d%26#39; Alene River is one of two major rivers feeding the lake, the other is the St. Joe River which does not have the impact of mining as it feeds from a different geographic area. Today there are only a few operating mines down from the dozens that operated in the early days of mining (late 1800%26#39;s and early 1900%26#39;s) and they have to follow various environmental regulations. EPA has initiated and is completing a number of remediation projects in the Silver Valley to reduce any additional metal runoff from inactive and abandoned mines and reduce the heavy metals found in the Coeur d%26#39; Alene River. Most of the heavy metals found in the river and the lake are part of the sediment on the river and lake bottom.

2. I not sure if any one particular area of the lake has been identified by the EPA, generally the information they release talks to the lake as a whole with the Coeur d%26#39; Alene River being the main issue. The usage (swimming, boating, water skiing, jet skis) of the lake by locals is widespread and regular at public beaches, boat ramps and docks, and at cabins; locals also included people coming over from Spokane, Washington (500,000 residents) on a regular basis. With the population increase in this area, actual lake usage has probably gone up. My view is that as a visitor your exposure will be very low as compared to the regulars who utilize the lake on a daily basis.