14 Iowa Beaches Unsafe for Swimming as E. coli, Algae Levels Spike

As Iowa braces for another scorching weekend, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued a warning that 14 state beaches are now unsafe for swimming due to elevated levels of E. coli and algae. That is up from 11 beaches the previous week, raising concerns for families looking to cool off in the heat.

The DNR conducts weekly water quality tests at 41 state-owned swimming beaches from late May through Labor Day. The latest samples, taken July 14 and 15, show that several popular spots exceed safety limits for bacteria and toxins. Officials urge swimmers to avoid these beaches until conditions improve.

Which Iowa Beaches Are Unsafe This Week?

Here is the full list of beaches where swimming is not recommended, along with their classification and test results:

• Backbone Beach (Vulnerable) – Exceeded E. coli geomean standard
• Beeds Lake Beach (Vulnerable) – Exceeded E. coli single-sample limit
• Big Creek Beach (Less vulnerable) – Exceeded both E. coli limits
• Black Hawk Beach (Less vulnerable) – Exceeded E. coli geomean standard
• Crandalls Beach (Less vulnerable) – Exceeded E. coli single-sample limit
• Denison Beach (Less vulnerable) – Exceeded E. coli geomean standard
• Emerson Bay Beach (Vulnerable) – Exceeded E. coli geomean standard
• George Wyth Beach (Vulnerable) – Exceeded E. coli single-sample limit
• Lake Darling Beach (Vulnerable) – Exceeded E. coli limits and algal toxin level
• Lake Manawa Beach (Vulnerable) – Exceeded E. coli single-sample limit
• McIntosh Woods Beach (Vulnerable) – Exceeded both E. coli limits
• Nine Eagles Beach (Vulnerable) – Exceeded E. coli geomean standard
• Prairie Rose Beach (Vulnerable) – Exceeded both E. coli limits
• Union Grove Beach (Vulnerable) – Exceeded both E. coli limits

Which Beach Improved This Week?

Only one beach from last week’s advisory has been cleared for swimming: Pleasant Creek Beach. The DNR’s weekly update shows its water quality has returned to safe levels.

Why Are Some Beaches Not Tested?

Three beaches currently have suspended monitoring due to special conditions:

• Blue Lake Beach – Monitoring suspended due to low lake water and closure of Lewis and Clark State Park.
• Brushy Creek Beach – Monitoring suspended due to construction.
• Lake Keomah – Monitoring suspended due to low water after the lake was drained in July 2024 for a major renovation. The DNR warns people to stay out of the lake bed, which may look dry but is soft and can entrap people.

How Does the DNR Classify Beach Safety?

The DNR places each beach into one of three categories based on bacteria history over the past five years:

• Vulnerable: Exceeded bacteria standards in three or more of the last five seasons.
• Transitional: Exceeded standards in two or fewer of the last five seasons but was previously classified as vulnerable.
• Less vulnerable: Exceeded standards in two or fewer of the last five seasons and was not previously vulnerable.

For the latest updates, Iowans can check the DNR website or call (515) 725-3434.

This article originally appeared in the Des Moines Register and has been adapted for Just The News Iowa.