Crater Lake Closes in Nausea Epidemic
The News
Van Nuys, California
July 13, 1975
CRATER LAKE. Ore (I"PI) — State police and forest rangers yesterday blocked
all entrances to spectacular Crater Lake National Park, containing the nation's
deepest lake, because of an outbreak of epidemic nausea which forced the park's
abrupt closure.
"There were a lot of disappointed people here today," said a ranger who
turned away 50 cars himself.
Inside the park, the situation was summed up by a note in the main lodge
guest book, saying "The Crater Lake Crud has struck."
The park was closed Friday to the summer flow of 40,000 weekly visitors
because a broken pipe, imbedded in volcanic ash, leaked raw sewage into a
spring. Between 500 and 1000 visitors and employes recently suffered
vomiting, stomach cramp and diarrhea.
Public health specialists said those victims — and thousands of unknown
others — risked hepatitis. Letters went out to all departed visitors who
happened to have left their names, advising that they seek a physician and gamma
globulin inoculations.
Karen Wald, a student working in the craft shop, became ill July l and has
been sick off and on ever since. Before her departure, she said there were "some
very gruesome nights" in her dormitory and "very long lines to the bathrooms."
The contamination did not reach into Crater Lake itself, a stunning 1932-foot
deep blue pool sitting 1000 feet below the crater rim. The park was empty
yesterday except for a couple of dozen employes.
They remained because, as Richard Sims, park superintendent, said, 'we have
work to do' His men drank only water trucked from outside.
Even if all goes well, Sims said the park would be closed for several weeks
before it can be reopened, a new water supply system must be connected to one of
several available springs near the crater rim.
