Garrett County officials issued statements yesterday afternoon warning all citizens to avoid temporary potential health hazard involving two local streams, the Little Youghiogheny River and the Savage River.

The public is advised to avoid contact with the Little Youghiogheny River below Mtn. Lake Park, and also the Savage River from a quarter mile upstream from Bloomington to the stream's confluence with the North Branch of the Potomac River.

Recent excess rainfall amounts was cited as causing both alerts. The Little Youghiogheny was contaminated after diluted sewage overflowed from a manhole near the intersection of B and Allegheny streets.

All contact with the specified sections of those streams should be avoided until water levels recede, according to the Garrett County Department of Public Utilities and the Garrett Coounty Health Department.

Adapted from the 01/06/2005 issue of The Republican