US Edition16 Lakes Have Too Much E. Coli for Safe Swimming, Final Iowa DNR Beach Monitoring Shows
Iowa DNR's summer report shows 15 state park beaches with swimming advisories due to high E. coli or algal toxins, affecting public health and safety this season.
- State officials announced the conclusion of weekly beach water testing following Labor Day 2025, noting that 15 state park beaches currently have swim advisories due to elevated E. coli or harmful algal toxin concentrations.
- These advisories arise when a single water sample exceeds 235 CFU of E. coli per 100 mL or when the average of five samples over 30 days exceeds 126 CFU per 100 mL, indicating elevated health risks.
- During the summer, 28 out of 41 state park beaches under observation experienced weekends when swimming was advised against because of elevated levels of E. coli bacteria or microcystin toxins, with some E. coli measurements reaching up to 24,000 MPN per 100 mL.
- Chris Jones, who leads the Driftless Water Defenders, highlighted in a recent press release that much of Iowa’s water quality is severely affected by runoff containing nitrate, phosphorus, and manure, and emphasized that solutions to address these issues are known.
- The monitoring's end around Labor Day signals the close of lake recreation season while raising ongoing concerns about water quality and public health safety at Iowa’s recreational beaches.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Swimming not recommended at 15 state beaches; final Iowa beach monitoring of the summer
This summer, 28 state park beaches out of 41 monitored Iowa Department of Natural Resources had at least one weekend where swimming was not recommended due to high levels of E. coli.
Steer clear of these 15 Iowa state beaches during Labor Day weekend, Iowa DNR says
IOWA -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says families and vacationers should avoid these 15 Iowa state beaches during Labor Day weekend. Former MLB stars to compete in Home Run Derby X at Principal Park Following regular weekly testing the Iowa DNR reports that 14 Iowa state beaches were found to have E. Coli levels higher than the standard. The affected beaches are listed below: Backbone Beach in Delaware County Beeds Lake Beach…
Swimming not recommended at 15 state beaches; final Iowa beach monitoring of the summer « KJAN | Radio Atlantic, IA – AM 1220
(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial close of lake-recreation season, and the official end of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ weekly beach monitoring program for summer 2025. This summer, 28 state park beaches, out of 41 monitored, had at least one weekend where swimming was not recommended due to high levels of E. coli or microcystins, a toxin released by certain types of algae. For the final week of monito…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 78% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
