Iowa DNR seashore monitoring stories 17 lakes unsafe for swimming

Fifteen state seashores are unsafe for swimming for the unofficial final weekend of summer time, in response to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources seashore monitoring report launched Friday, Aug. 29. Two regionally monitored seashores within the Des Moines space are additionally thought of unsafe.

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

What Iowa DNR seashores aren’t advisable for swimming?

Backbone Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 27
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Beeds Lake Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 27
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Blue Lake Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 25
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Bobwhite State Park Beach

• Beach classification: NA
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 26
• 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. 27
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Crandalls Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 27
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Emerson Bay Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 27
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

George Wyth Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 27
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Lacey-Keosauqua Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 26
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Lake Aquabi Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 26
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Lake Darling Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 26
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Lake Macbride Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 26
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Pine Lake South Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 27
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Pleasant Creek Beach

• Beach classification: Less susceptible
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 27
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Prairie Rose Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last take a look at date: Aug. 25
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

More: Reader’s Digest ranks an Iowa lake among the best for swimming. Its water could be unsafe

What Des Moines space seashores aren’t advisable for swimming?

• Blue Heron Lake Beach at Raccoon River Park: Testing on Aug. 13 discovered E. coli ranges above the appropriate vary, in response to the West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department.
• Easter Lake: As of Aug. 27, Polk County Conservation has decided that the degrees of E. coli within the water exceed the appropriate vary, and swimming will not be advisable.

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 undertaking that can final till spring 2026. The DNR warns individuals to remain out of the lake mattress, which could look dry, however is tender and will rapidly entrap individuals.

What seashores have improved to ‘OK for swimming’?

Four seashores noticed enhancements in water high quality from week 14 information, posted on Aug. 22, to week 15. They have since been faraway from the checklist of seashores not advisable for swimming:

• Union Grove Beach
• Lake Manawa Beach
• Brushy Creek Beach
• Big Creek Beach

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” up to now monitoring seasons.

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