DNR issues four toxic beach warnings for June 25-July 1

0
611

From about Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducts weekly monitoring of bacterial pollution in Iowa’s 39 state park beaches.

The DNR analyzes water samples from the beaches for certain one-celled microorganisms, known as indicator bacteria, that are visible only under a microscope. High levels of E. coli, a common indicator bacteria, indicate feces is in the water, most commonly in Iowa from livestock sources.

These indicator bacteria are commonly used by state environmental agencies and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to determine the suitability of beaches for swimming-type uses.

Microcystin, a toxin produced by harmful blue-green algae blooms, has also been detected in Iowa’s water bodies.

Due to health risks, when microcystin or E. coli levels exceed certain standards/thresholds, the DNR posts swim advisories telling beach-goers to stay out of the water.

The Iowa DNR and the Iowa Environmental Council track these weekly beach monitoring  reports and swim advisories and compare advisory trends from year to year. To review recent trend data, visit the Iowa DNR website.

Three beach advisories were issued for Iowa beaches with E. coli-related contamination for the week of June 2-July 1.

  • Backbone Beach (Dundee, Delaware County)
  • Lake Darling Beach (Brighton, Washington County)
  • Lake Keomah Beach (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County)

One beach advisory was issued for a microcystin-related contamination for the week of June 25-July 1:

  • Lake Darling Beach (Brighton, Washington County)

*Data from the Iowa DNR State Park Beach Monitoring Program

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.