Why Iowa’s finest lake for swimming is not all the time protected for swimmers

An Iowa lake has been named one of many 26 finest lakes for swimming within the U.S. this summer time, according to the Reader’s Digest. But is it even protected for swimming?

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources screens water high quality at 39 state-owned swimming seashores every summer time to observe for unsafe ranges of E. coli and poisonous algae.

So, the place does Iowa’s so-called finest lake fall on that record? Here’s what we all know.

Which Iowa lake made the 26 Best Lakes record?

Clear Lake, the Iowa city’s namesake lake, was listed as the most effective lakes for a summer time swim in 2025.

The Reader’s Digest mentioned the lake is, “so accessible that anyone with a hankering for a quick dip needs only to stroll to one of the many public access points that line the shore and dive right in.”

However, The Iowa DNR lately had different phrases to explain the lake, they usually had been “swimming not recommended.”

Is Clear Lake protected for swimming?

Clear Lake State Park Beach had begin to the summer time, staying on the “OK for swimming list,” created by Iowa DNR. Recent testing raised issues, although.

The two most up-to-date weeks of knowledge — posted on Aug. 15 and Aug. 22 — confirmed that Clear Lake State Park Beach examined for prime E. coli ranges.

The lake is assessed as much less weak, which implies the seashore’s geometric imply customary is exceeded in two or fewer sampling seasons of the 5 most up-to-date years.

While it could have been considered one of Iowa’s finest lakes for a swim firstly of the summer time, Iowans ought to verify the newest stories earlier than leaping into Clear Lake.

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