Check water quality before you swim: Here are 10 Iowa beaches you should avoid

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez, Des Moines Register
·1 min read

Taking a dip this weekend? Check the water quality at Iowa beaches before you go.

You check up on water monitoring, beach classifications and know what locations are open or closed anytime. Iowa Department of Natural Resources tracks it all and updates the public weekly on its website and using a phone hotline at 515-725-3434.

The DNR collects weekly samples at 39 state-owned swimming beaches to determine the public's risk of coming in contact with waterborne diseases. Testing starts a week prior to Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day.

What Iowa beaches are not recommended for swimming?

  • Emerson Bay Beach

    • Beach classification: Vulnerable

    • Last sample result: July 19

  • McIntosh Woods Beach

    • Beach classification: Vulnerable

    • Last sample result: July 19

  • Beeds Lake Beach

    • Beach classification: Vulnerable

    • Last sample result: July 19

  • Brushy Creek Beach

    • Beach classification: Less vulnerable

    • Last sample date: July 18

  • Pine Lake South Beach

    • Beach classification: Vulnerable

    • Last sample result: July 19

  • Black Hawk Beach

    • Beach classification: Less vulnerable

    • Last sample date: July 18

  • Backbone Beach

    • Beach classification: Vulnerable

    • Last sample date: July 18

  • Lake Keomah Beach

    • Beach classification: Vulnerable

    • Last sample date: July 17

  • Lake Darling Beach

    • Beach classification: Vulnerable

    • Last sample result: July 17

  • Nine Eagles Beach

    • Beach classification: Vulnerable

    • Last sample result: July 17

What beaches have had 'not recommended for swimming' warnings recently?

  • Clear Lake State Park Beach

    • Beach classification: Less vulnerable

    • Previously tested high for E. coli on July 12

What Iowa beaches are currently closed?

  • Geode Lake Beach

    • Monitoring has been suspended for the 2023 season due to renovation activities

  • Lake Ahquabi Beach

    • Monitoring has been suspended temporarily due to renovation

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa DNR monitors beach water quality, 10 beaches 'not recommended'