Iowa DNR says 16 lakes unsafe for swimming, a season excessive

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The newest warmth wave has damaged in Iowa, however Iowans seeking to spend time outside will discover a season-high variety of seashores with advisories posted resulting from water high quality points.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources seashore monitoring report reveals 16 seashores that aren’t beneficial for swimming for the week of July 31. That’s a rise of three seashores from the prior week and the very best quantity because the 2026 season began on Memorial Day weekend.

The Iowa DNR offers 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 accumulate weekly samples at 41 state-owned swimming seashores to find out the general public’s threat of coming involved with waterborne illnesses. Testing begins every week earlier than Memorial Day and runs by means of Labor Day.

What Iowa DNR seashores should not beneficial for swimming?

Backbone Beach

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

Beeds Lake Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last check date: July 27
Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict and five-sample Geomean commonplace for E. coli

Big Creek Beach

Beach classification: Less weak
Last check date: July 27
Test outcomes: Exceeded five-sample Geomean commonplace for E. coli

Black Hawk Beach

Beach classification: Less weak
Last check date: July 28
Test outcomes: Exceeded five-sample Geomean commonplace for E. coli

Bobwhite State Park

Beach classification: Not obtainable
Last check date: July 29
Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict for E. coli

Clear Lake State Park Beach

Beach classification: Less weak
Last check date: July 27
Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict and five-sample Geomean commonplace for E. coli

Crandalls Beach

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

Denison Beach

Beach classification: Less weak
Last check date: July 28
Test outcomes: Exceeded five-sample Geomean commonplace for E. coli

Emerson Bay Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last check date: July 29
Test outcomes: Exceeded five-sample Geomean commonplace for E. coli

George Wyth Beach

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

Lake Darling Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last check date: July 28
Test outcomes: Exceeded five-sample Geomean commonplace for E. coli and algal toxin motion degree

Lake Manawa Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last check date: July 28
Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict and five-sample Geomean commonplace for E. coli

McIntosh Woods Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last check date: July 28
Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict and five-sample Geomean commonplace for E. coli

Nine Eagles Beach

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

Prairie Rose Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last check date: July 28
Test outcomes: Exceeded single-sample restrict and five-sample Geomean commonplace for E. coli

Union Grove Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable
Last check date: July 29
Test outcomes: Exceeded five-sample Geomean commonplace for E. coli

What different seashores should not beneficial for swimming?

The Iowa DNR additionally tracks reviews for 39 metropolis or county seashores throughout the state. This week, 10 of the seashores reported E.coli ranges above the single-sample restrict.

In the Des Moines metro, that features Blue Heron Lake at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines and Hickory Grove Park Beach in Story County.

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

All 13 seashores listed as swimming not beneficial within the Week 10 report on July 24 maintained that score this week.

Which Iowa seashores have particular statuses?

Blue Lake Beach: While Lewis and Clark State Park has reopened, the seashore at Blue Lake Beach stays closed resulting from low water ranges. DNR will not be conducting testing whereas the seashore is closed.
Brushy Creek Beach: Monitoring is at the moment suspended resulting from building.
Lake Keomah: Monitoring by DNR is at the moment suspended resulting from 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 means of spring 2026. The DNR warns individuals to remain out of the lake mattress, which could look dry, however is smooth and will shortly entrap individuals.

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

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

Vulnerable: Beaches are thought of weak 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” prior to now monitoring seasons.
Less weak: 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.

This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you’ll be able to go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2026/07/31/iowa-dnr-beach-monitoring-e-coli-ecoli-algae-record-high-unsafe-swimming/91120666007/
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