The accidental release of an estimated 3,000 gallons of untreated sewage Saturday prompted health department officials to warn the public to avoid several popular beaches over the weekend.

A blockage in a sewer main at 2pm Saturday near Cedar and Sixth streets caused sewage to overflow and run down the road, emptying into Kids Creek. As a result of the leak, the Grand Traverse County Health Department warned the public to avoid all body contact with Kids Creek near Cedar Street to the Boardman River, as well as the Boardman River near Wadsworth Street to the mouth of West Grand Traverse Bay. Officials also called for the public to avoid all body contact with the waters at Clinch Park Beach, Sunset Park Beach, Bryant Park Beach, and the Traverse City Senior Center Beach - a move they said was a "precautionary measure."

The advisory remained in effect Sunday and continues today (Monday). Health officials plan to test the water for E.coli and will lift the advisory once test results show levels are safe. The city's drinking water supply was not affected by the advisory, as that supply comes from East Grand Traverse Bay.