Area playa lakes are looking dirtier than usual because the receding water from last weeks record flooding left behind a lot of trash. All kinds of debris washed up when lake levels went down. Even snakes and small animals have been found close to the lakes, trying to get back to their natural habitats. For now, the Health Department is asking everyone to stay out of the lakes and watch where you walk when youre close to one. "In a general rule, people should never swim in playa lakes because you dont know how deep they are, but after the flood you see the visible trash and debris. Think about the things you dont see. The chemicals that could of washed in, the fertilizers, the pesticides, oils, gasoline, theres no telling what," says Health Department Director Nancy Haney. Youre most likely to find items from peoples yards and garages at playa lakes right now. The city is still organizing clean up efforts around lakes and parks.
