Iowa’s list of beaches not recommended for swimming has grown yet again, with 12 testing for high E. coli or Algal levels, and two with a special status on the Fourth of July weekend, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Wondering how can you check up on water monitoring, beach classifications and know what locations are open or closed? Iowa Department of Natural Resources tracks it all and updates the public weekly on its website and using a phone hotline at 515-725-3434.
The DNR collects weekly samples at 39 state-owned swimming beaches to determine the public’s risk of coming in contact with waterborne diseases. Testing starts a week prior to Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day.
What Iowa DNR beaches are not recommended for swimming?
Backbone Beach
Beeds Lake Beach
Blue Lake Beach
Denison Beach
Green Valley Beach
Lake Darling Beach
Lake Manawa Beach
McIntosh Woods Beach
Nine Eagles Beach
North Twin Lake West Beach
Pine Lake South Beach
Prairie Rose Beach
What Iowa beaches have a special status?
What beaches have improved to ‘OK for swimming’?
Three beaches have seen improved water quality and have been removed from the not recommended for swimming list from week 6 data, posted on July 1, to week 7:
How does the Iowa DNR classify Iowa’s beaches based on their water quality?
DNR officials classify state park beaches into one of three categories annually based on their history of bacteria results in recent years:
Vulnerable: Beaches are considered vulnerable when the geometric mean standard is exceeded in three or more of the five most recent sampling seasons.
Transitional: The beach’s geometric mean standard is exceeded in two or fewer sampling seasons of the five most recent years of monitoring and was listed as “vulnerable” in the past monitoring seasons.
Less vulnerable: The beach’s geometric mean standard is exceeded in two or fewer sampling seasons of the five most recent years of monitoring and was listed as “transitional” or “less vulnerable” in past monitoring seasons.
Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Swimming not recommended at 12 Iowa beaches with high E. coli or algae this 4th of July
Reporting by Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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