Minneapolis closes three beaches ahead of 4th of July weekend due to high e. coli levels.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has shut down Hiawatha Beach and two beaches on Bde Maka Ska after tests revealed elevated bacteria levels.
Water quality supervisor Rachel Crabb says she doesn't expect those levels to come back to normal until after the weekend, though they'll continue to do tests no matter what.
"The results are though we always tell people that it is best to wait after a heavy rain for the best swim conditions, she says.
Even at beaches that will remain open this weekend, Crabb recommends people avoid swallowing any lake water, and stay home if they're feeling sick.
The beaches that are closed include Bde Maka Ska’s North Beach and 32nd Street Beach, along with Hiawatha Beach at Lake Hiawatha.
This has been a persistent issue for city beaches after heavy rainfalls wash bacteria into the lakes.
"The first 24 to 48 hours after a heavy rainfall, bacteria can be high," Crabbe explains. "We still have nine beaches that are open and operating as usual. So those are the ones we're directing folks to now."
She says park authorities will continue to test the waters to track the changing conditions.
You can also see real-time water quality conditions from the Park and Recreation Board here.
Swim Healthy
- Don't swim if you or your child have diarrhea or are sick.
- Be careful to not get lake water in your mouth.
- Wash your hands before eating and after changing a diaper.
- Avoid swimming for 48 hours after a heavy rainfall, when bacteria levels can be high.
- Towel dry immediately after exiting the water to prevent Swimmer's Itch.
- Do not swim in water that looks like “pea soup” or spilled paint floating on the surface.
- Keep children and pets out of blue-green algae scum.
