Iowa DNR experiences 20 seashores unsafe for swimming attributable to E. coli, algae

As summer season nears its finish, seashores are nonetheless being added to the not really helpful for swimming record, in accordance with the newest Iowa Department of Natural Resources seaside monitoring report launched Friday, Aug. 15.

Eighteen seashores monitored by the state and two Des Moines-area seashores examined excessive for E. coli or poisonous algae. 

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

What Iowa DNR seashores aren’t really helpful for swimming?

Backbone Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 13
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Beeds Lake Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 12
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Bobwhite State Park

• Beach classification: NA
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 11
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Brushy Creek Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 12
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Clear Lake State Park Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 12
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Crandalls Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 13
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Emerson Bay Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 13
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

George Wyth Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 13
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Lacey-Keosauqua Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 11
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Lake Ahquabi Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 11
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Lake Darling Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 13
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli and algal toxin ranges

Lake Macbride Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 13
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Lake Manawa Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 11
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Lake of Three Fires Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 11
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Pine Lake South Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 12
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Pleasant Creek Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 13
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Prairie Rose Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 11
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Union Grove Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 13
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

What Des Moines space seashores aren’t really helpful for swimming?

• Blue Heron Lake Beach at Raccoon River Park: Testing on Aug. 11 discovered E. coli ranges above the appropriate vary, in accordance with the West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department.
• Easter Lake: As of Aug. 14, Polk County Conservation has decided that the degrees of E. coli within the water exceed the appropriate vary, and swimming just 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 significant renovation and water high quality enchancment mission that can final till spring 2026. The DNR warns folks to remain out of the lake mattress, which could look dry, however is comfortable and will rapidly entrap folks.

What seashores have improved to ‘OK for swimming’?

Two seashores noticed enhancements in water high quality from week 12 knowledge, posted on Aug. 8, to week 13. They have since been faraway from the record of seashores not really helpful for swimming:

• Viking Lake Beach
• Nine Eagles Beach

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

DNR officers classify state park seashores into one among three classes yearly based mostly on their historical past of micro organism outcomes in recent times:

Less susceptible: The seaside’s geometric imply normal 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-about susceptible when the geometric imply normal is exceeded in three or extra of the 5 most up-to-date sampling seasons.

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

(This story was up to date to take away a reproduction entry for one seaside.)

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a basic project reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or observe her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.