Bacteria that sickens humans found in creek at popular NC mountains campground
The Cherokee Indians are warning people to avoid a creek at a popular campground in the North Carolina mountains due to high E. coli bacteria counts.
Tribal water quality workers detected “unsafe levels” of the bacteria in Soco Creek, “beginning at Happy Holiday Campground and continuing downstream,” the tribe’s Public Health & Human Services Division posted on social media Wednesday.
The campground is officially named Happy Holiday RV Village.
Soco Creek is a popular fly fishing spot with its “abundant stocked trout and a thriving population of wild rainbow trout,” according to Visit Cherokee NC.com.
“Water Safety Alert!” division officials said. “Please avoid swimming, wading, or any contact with the creek water in this area until further notice.”
Water quality teams are investigating the source of the bacteria “and will share updates as more information becomes available,” according to the post.
Officials have temporarily suspended fish stocking, officials said, adding that swimming and fishing in the Oconaluftee River, Raven Fork and Bunches Creek are safe.
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM.