RALEIGH — Wake County has closed down swimming at the Sandling and Beaverdam beaches in the Falls Lake State Recreation Area because of elevated levels of bacteria that exceed federal standards, according to a news release Monday.

The lake is not closed to fishing, and other swimming areas at Falls Lake will remain open.

Based on weekly water samples, officials closed the beaches for "primary contact recreation" that includes swimming or any activity in which a person's head might go underwater.

Water samples will be collected daily, and the beaches will reopen for swimming when bacteria levels drop for two consecutive days below limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wake County Environmental Services Director Tommy Esqueda said.