Two beaches in the listening area remain on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) list where swimming is not recommended due to high levels of E. coli. Denison Beach, located on the north side of Black Hawk Lake in Lake View, and Prairie Rose Beach at Prairie Rose State Park, southeast of Harlan in Shelby County, reported levels of E. coli that exceeded the state’s threshold to ensure safety while swimming. Swimming in higher levels of the bacteria can potentially cause health risks, including gastrointestinal illness and symptoms, as well as infections such as those affecting the skin, ears, respiratory system, kidneys, and urinary tract. Levels of E. coli increase as fecal matter enters the water, thereby increasing contamination levels. DNR staff urge the public to stay informed by checking the weekly reports of tests performed on more than three dozen public swimming beaches during the summer months. The warning will remain in effect for the beaches until levels drop back down below the threshold. There are a total of 14 beaches across the state that are not recommended for swimming; the list can be found included below.
- Backbone Beach in Delaware County
- Beed’s Lake Beach in Franklin County
- Blue Lake Beach in Monona County
- Bobwhite State Park in Wayne County
- Denison Beach in Sac County
- Lake Ahquabi Beach in Warren County
- Lake Darling Beach in Washington County
- Lake Manawa Beach in Pottawattamie County
- Lake of Three Fires Beach in Taylor County
- McIntosh Woods Beach in Cerro Gordo County
- Nine Eagles Beach in Decatur County
- Pleasant Creek Beach in Linn County
- Prairie Rose Beach in Shelby County
- Union Grove Beach in Tama County