Iowa DNR warns E. coli, algae too excessive for swimming at 15 seashores

Trying to get in a single final swim on the seaside earlier than summer season ends? You’ll must keep away from greater than a dozen seashores.

A complete of 15 seashores aren’t really useful for swimming, as of Aug. 21. That’s the identical quantity because the earlier week’s Iowa Department of Natural Resources seaside monitoring report, though the checklist of seashores has modified considerably.

The Iowa DNR gives weekly updates on which state seashores are experiencing excessive ranges of E. coli or algae that may be harmful to swimmers. You can test the latest reports on the DNR website or by calling 515-725-3434.

Staff acquire weekly samples at 41 state-owned swimming seashores to find out the general public’s danger of coming in touch with waterborne illnesses. Testing begins every week earlier than Memorial Day and runs by way of Labor Day.

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

Backbone Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: Aug. 19
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict and five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

Beeds Lake Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: Aug. 19
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict and five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

Clear Lake State Park Beach

• Beach classification: Less weak
• Last check date: Aug. 19
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict and five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

Geode Lake Beach

• Beach classification: Less weak
• Last check date: Aug. 19
• Test outcomes: Exceeded five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

George Wyth Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: Aug. 19
• Test outcomes: Exceeded five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

Lake Ahquabi Beach

• Beach classification: Less weak
• Last check date: Aug. 19
• Test outcomes: Exceeded five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

Lake Darling Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: Aug. 17
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict and five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

Lake Manawa Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: Aug. 18
• Test outcomes: Exceeded five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

Lake of Three Fires Beach

• Beach classification: Less weak
• Last check date: Aug. 19
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample normal for E. coli

Marble Beach State Park

• Beach classification: Less weak
• Last check date: Aug. 19
• Test outcomes: Exceeded the Algal toxin motion degree

McIntosh Woods Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: Aug. 19
• Test outcomes: Exceeded five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

Nine Eagles Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: Aug. 17
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict and five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

Pleasant Creek Beach

• Beach classification: Less weak
• Last check date: Aug. 19
• Test outcomes: Exceeded five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

Prairie Rose Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: Aug. 18
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict and five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

Union Grove Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last check date: Aug. 19
• Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict and five-sample Geomean normal for E. coli

What different seashores aren’t really useful for swimming?

The Iowa DNR additionally tracks reviews for 39 metropolis or county seashores throughout the state. This week, eight of the seashores reported E. coli ranges above the single-sample restrict.

Blue Heron Lake at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines and Hickory Grove Park Beach in Story County are the one seashores in Dallas, Polk or Story counties to report excessive ranges.

Which Iowa seashores have improved to ‘OK for swimming’?

Two seashores listed as “swimming not recommended” on the Aug. 14 report have now improved and are thought of “OK to swim”:

• Emerson Bay Beach
• Orleans City Beach

Which Iowa seashores have particular statuses?

• Blue Lake Beach: While Lewis and Clark State Park has reopened, the seaside at Blue Lake Beach stays closed because of low water ranges. DNR is just not conducting testing whereas the seaside is closed.
• Brushy Creek Beach: Monitoring is at present suspended because of building.
• Lake Keomah: Monitoring by DNR is at present suspended because of low lake water situations. The DNR drained the lake in July 2024 for a significant renovation and water high quality enchancment mission that was set to final by way of spring 2026. The DNR warns individuals to remain out of the lake mattress, which could look dry, however is delicate and will shortly entrap individuals.

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

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

• Vulnerable: Beaches are thought of weak 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.
• Less weak: 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.

Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter on the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.