The state Health Department yesterday issued a "brown-water advisory" for the eastern portion of Kaua'i, from Hanalei Bay to Nāwiliwili Bay due to the heavy rains in recent days.

Hanalei River rose nine feet Wednesday night, closing Hanalei Bridge and causing silt-laden, turbid runoff to enter the bay, the department's Clean Water Branch said in a news release. Debris was washed onto the Lydgate Park shoreline and caused turbid runoff into Nāwiliwili Bay.

The agency cautioned the public to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff through the weekend due to possible overflowing cesspools, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, chemicals and associated flood debris.

Turbid and brown coastal waters are signs to stay out of the water, Clean Water Branch officials said.