13 Iowa beaches are not recommended for swimming after high E. coli, algae tests

Mother Nature has at least one more hot weekend in store for Iowans this summer. So, if you're headed to a beach to cool down, don't forget to check water quality reports before you head out.

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?

Beeds Lake Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: Aug. 20

Lake Darling Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: Aug. 20

McIntosh Woods Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: Aug. 20

Nine Eagles Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: Aug. 20

Pine Lake South Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: Aug. 20

Union Grove Beach

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: Aug. 21

Bobwhite State Park

• Beach classification: N/A
• Last test date: Aug. 20

Big Creek Beach

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: Aug 21

Clear Lake State Park Beach

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: Aug. 20

Crandalls Beach

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: Aug. 21

Lake Ahquabi Beach

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: Aug. 21

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.

Swimming was not recommended at all three Coralville Lake beaches earlier this week after testing positive for high levels of E. coli. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the positive tests on Facebook . Two of the three areas tested back within safe limits and were reopened on Thursday.

The Sugar Bottom Campground Beach, open to registered campers only, continued to test "above allowable" levels of E. coli. The engineers recommended keeping pets away from the beaches to keep them from drinking the potentially harmful water.

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'?

Three beaches previously considered “not recommended for swimming” in Week 13 data, posted on Aug. 16, are now OK for swimming:

• Pleasant Creek Beach
• Lake of Three Fires Beach
• Backbone Beach

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