These 13 Iowa beaches are not recommended for swimming due to high E. coli or algae

Don’t forget to check the water quality reports if you head to the beach this weekend. More than a few beaches are not recommended for swimming.

A total of 13 beaches are not recommended for swimming this week. High E. coli levels were reported at 12 beaches and high algal toxin levels were reported at two.

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 beaches are not recommended for swimming?

Backbone Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 24

Beeds Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 23

Black Hawk Lake

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: July 23

Blue Lake

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: July 23

Denison Beach

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: July 23

George Wyth Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 24

Lake Ahquabi

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: July 24

Lake Darling

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 24

Lake of Three Fires

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: July 24

Nine Eagles Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 23

Pleasant Creek Lake

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: July 24

Rock Creek Lake

• Beach classification: Less vulnerable
• Last test date: July 24

Union Grove Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 24

West Okoboji Lake

• Beach classification: Vulnerable
• Last test date: July 24

What Iowa beaches have a special status?

Lake Keomah: Monitoring by DNR has been suspended for the 2024 season. The DNR expected to start draining the lake on July 9 for a major renovation and water quality improvement project that will last until spring 2026.

What Iowa beaches have improved to ‘OK for swimming’?

Three beaches previously considered “not recommended for swimming” in Week 9 data, posted on July 19, are now OK for swimming:

• Pheasant Creek Beach
• Emerson Bay Beach
• Denison 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.