17 not really helpful for swimming as a consequence of E. coli

More seashores have been added to the not really helpful for swimming record, in keeping with the newest Iowa Department of Natural Resources seashore monitoring report launched Aug. 1.

Fifteen seashores monitored by the state and two Des Moines space seashores examined excessive for E. coli or poisonous algae. There had been three new seashores not really helpful for swimming, whereas one seashore noticed sufficient enchancment in its water high quality enhancements to be rated OK for swimming.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources screens water high quality at 39 state-owned swimming seashores and offers weekly updates to the public via its web site and a hotline at 515-725-3434. Sampling begins the week earlier than Memorial Day and continues via Labor Day.

What Iowa DNR seashores will not be really helpful for swimming?

Backbone Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: July 30
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Beeds Lake Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: July 29
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Bobwhite State Park

• Beach classification: NA
• Last check date: July 29
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Brushy Creek Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last check date: July 29
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Emerson Bay Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: July 30
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Lake Ahquabi Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last check date: July 30
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Lake Darling Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: July 30
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli and algal toxin ranges

Lake Manawa Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: July 29
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Lake of Three Fires Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last check date: July 30
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

McIntosh Woods Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: July 29
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Nine Eagles Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: July 29
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Pine Lake South Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: July 29
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Pleasant Creek Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last check date: July 30
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Prairie Rose Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: July 29
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Union Grove Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: July 30
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

What Des Moines space seashores will not be really helpful for swimming?

• Blue Heron Lake Beach at Raccoon River Park: Testing on July 30 discovered E. coli ranges above the appropriate vary, in keeping with the West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department.
• Easter Lake: As of July 31, Polk County Conservation has decided that the degrees of E. coli within the water exceed the appropriate vary, and swimming isn’t really helpful.  

What Iowa seashores have a particular standing?

• Lake Keomah Beach: Monitoring by DNR has been suspended for the 2025 season. The DNR drained the lake in July 2024 for a serious renovation and water high quality enchancment challenge that may final till spring 2026. The DNR warns folks to remain out of the lake mattress, which could look dry, however is delicate and will rapidly entrap folks.
• Rock Creek Beach: There was no pattern analyzed for the eleventh week of testing, in keeping with the Iowa DNR. The seashore was rated swimming not really helpful in week 10, however had acceptable check leads to weeks 1 via 9.

What seashores have improved to ‘OK for swimming’?

Black Hawk Beach is the one lake that noticed enhancements in water high quality from week 10 knowledge, posted on July 25, to week 11. It has since been faraway from the record of seashores not really helpful for swimming.

How does the Iowa DNR classify Iowa’s seashores based mostly on their water high quality?

DNR officers classify state park seashores into considered one of three classes yearly based mostly on their historical past of micro organism outcomes lately:

Less susceptible: The seashore’s geometric imply commonplace is exceeded in two or fewer sampling seasons of the 5 most up-to-date years of monitoring and was listed as “transitional” or “less vulnerable” in previous monitoring seasons.

Vulnerable: Beaches are thought of susceptible when the geometric imply commonplace is exceeded in three or extra of the 5 most up-to-date sampling seasons.

Transitional: The seashore’s geometric imply commonplace is exceeded in two or fewer sampling seasons of the 5 most up-to-date years of monitoring and was listed as “vulnerable” previously monitoring seasons.

Kate Kealey is a common task reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or comply with her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.