14 Iowa beaches are not recommended for swimming this week after high E. coli, algae tests

Don't forget to check the water quality reports before you head to the beach to beat the heat this weekend. More than a few beaches are not recommended for swimming this week.

A total of 13 beaches are not recommended for swimming by Iowa DNR and one by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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?

Lake Darling

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 31

Pleasant Creek Lake

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: July 31

Backbone Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 31

George Wyth Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 31

Union Grove Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 31

Lake Ahquabi

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: July 31

Big Creek Lake

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: July 30

Beeds Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 30

Clear Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 30

Lake of Three Fires

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: July 31

Prairie Rose Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 30

West Okoboji Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 31

Lake Manawa

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 30

What U.S. Army Corps of Engineers beach in Iowa is not recommended for swimming?

Due to elevated bacterial counts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also advises against swimming at Lake Red Rock’s North Overlook Beach until further notice.

What Iowa beaches have a special status?

Lake Keomah: Monitoring by DNR has been suspended for the 2024 season. The DNR drained the lake in July 2024 for a major renovation and water quality improvement project that will last until spring 2026. The DNR warns people to stay out of the lake bed, which might look dry, but is soft and could quickly entrap people.

What Iowa beaches have improved to 'OK for swimming'?

Five beaches previously considered “not recommended for swimming” in Week 10 data, posted on July 26, are now OK for swimming:

• Rock Creek
• Nine Eagles Lake
• Denison Beach
• Blue Lake
• Black Hawk Lake

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: 14 Iowa beaches are not recommended for swimming this week after high E. coli, algae tests