Several Michigan beaches closed, under advisory for spread of bacteria

Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·2 min read
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Several public and private beaches across Michigan are closed or under advisories amid the spread of bacteria, while a couple had been cleared by early Friday. Here's a look at what you need to know to stay safe before heading to the water.

What's affected

Van Norman Lake in Independence Township seen from an overpass on Andersonville Road on Friday, June 30, 2023. The lake is closed due to high levels of bacteria.
Van Norman Lake in Independence Township seen from an overpass on Andersonville Road on Friday, June 30, 2023. The lake is closed due to high levels of bacteria.

As of 3:30 p.m. Friday, seven beaches across Michigan, mostly in the lower peninsula, face a contamination advisory or temporary closure. This includes several in metro Detroit, as well as a few farther north.

  • St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach on Lake St. Clair in Macomb County - closed since Monday

  • Waterford Hill on Van Norman Lake in Oakland County - closed Friday

  • Keatington Subdivision Eaton Gate off Baldwin on Voorheis Lake in Oakland County - private beach, closed Friday

  • Hamburg Fitness Center and Camp on Haynor Lake in Livingston County - closed since June 21

  • Singing Bridge Beach on Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron in Arenac County - under contamination advisory since Tuesday

  • Richfield Township Public Fishing Site on Lake St. Helen in Roscommon County - under contamination advisory since Wednesday

  • Green Park picnic area on Lake Superior in Ontonagon County - closed since Thursday

What's reopened

A couple other beaches were impacted by bacteria outbreaks this week, but were cleared and reopened for normal operations by Friday.

  • Lakeside Beach on Lake Huron in St. Clair County - previously closed since Wednesday, reopened Friday

  • Paradise Beach at Groveland Oaks County Park on Stewart Lake in Oakland County - under a contamination advisory since Thursday, reopened Friday

Why are the beaches contaminated?

Van Norman Lake in Independence Township seen from an overpass on Andersonville Road on Friday, June 30, 2023. The lake is closed due to high levels of bacteria.
Van Norman Lake in Independence Township seen from an overpass on Andersonville Road on Friday, June 30, 2023. The lake is closed due to high levels of bacteria.

Health agencies in the affected counties closed or placed under advisory the above beaches over the past two weeks as bacteria spread on the beaches, causing a public health risk.

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When will the beaches reopen?

Some of the impacted beaches began to reopen Friday morning, while new closures began. Residents can stay updated on conditions at the affected beaches by checking the Michigan BeachGuard website.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Several Michigan beaches closed, under advisory over bacteria spread