Dickinson County, Iowa — An Iowa Great Lakes state recreation area is among eight beaches statewide that are currently under “swimming not recommended ” advisories from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
DNR environmental specialist Daniel Kendall says that’s about typical for this time of the year, and down one beach from last week.
(As above) “As these numbers come up, the risk of potentially getting sick come up, and that’s why we have a swimming not recommended, we don’t close the beach based on this,” Kendall explains.
All of the recommendations are based on the presence of a particular E-coli bacteria, which Kendall says doesn’t directly make people sick. But it can be an indicator of the presence of other harmful pathogens.
(As above) “If you’re immune compromised or get sick easily it might be something to definitely heed,” he says.
Kendall says rain often flushes the pathogens into beaches so it’s also a good idea to wait a few days after rainfall before swimming.
In addition to Emerson Bay State Recreation Area at the Iowa Great Lakes, beaches with DNR “Swimming Not Recommended” Advisories are………..
McItosh Woods State Park
George Wyth Memorial State Park
Denison Beach at Black Hawk State Park
Backbone State Park
Lake Darling State Park
Lake Keomah State Park
Nine Eagles State Park
