For the first time since sampling of Oak Creek water began 20 years ago, Slide Rock State Park made it through a summer with no closures.

The swim area did not close once this year due to high levels of E. coli in Oak Creek and is not anticipated to close for the remainder of this year, according to park officials. Before this summer, Slide Rock had closed at least three times every year since 2007, when 13 closures were reported. At times, the amount of E. coli in Oak Creek had been 500 times higher than acceptable state levels.

The state park is visited by 300,000 people every year.

For the full story, see the Friday, Nov. 29, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.