The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is advising visitors to avoid swimming at five state park beaches after recent water quality tests detected elevated levels of bacteria or harmful algae.
According to the latest beach monitoring results, several beaches exceeded state safety standards for E. coli bacteria, while one beach showed high levels of potentially dangerous algal toxins.
Beaches currently under a swimming advisory include:
- McIntosh Woods State Park near Clear Lake – elevated E. coli levels
- Pine Lake South near Eldora – elevated E. coli levels
- Lake Darling State Park near Brighton – elevated algal toxins
- Bobwhite State Park near Allerton – elevated E. coli levels
- Nine Eagles State Park near Davis City – elevated E. coli levels
The Iowa DNR conducts regular beach water testing during the recreation season, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Officials recommend avoiding contact with the water at beaches under advisory until test results return to safe levels.
Current beach water quality information is available through the Iowa DNR’s Beach Monitoring program.
