Beaches

• Bde Maka Ska 32nd Street Beach
• Bde Maka Ska North Beach
• Bde Maka Ska Thomas Beach ♦
• Cedar Lake East Beach
• Cedar Lake Point Beach ♦
• Cedar Lake South Beach
• Lake Harriet North Beach  ♦
• Lake Harriet Southeast Beach
• Lake Hiawatha Beach
• Lake Nokomis 50th Street Beach  ♦
• Lake Nokomis Main Beach  ♦
• Wirth Lake Beach  ♦

Bacteria Monitoring: E. coli

MPRB staff monitor bacteria levels weekly and post a closed sign at the beach and indicate the closure on the Lake Water Quality Map if:

If a beach is closed MPRB staff will re-sample and reopen the beach when bacteria levels are within state guidelines.

Blue-green Algae Monitoring: Cyanobacteria

MPRB staff monitor for blue-green algae weekly. An advisory is posted on the Lake Water Quality Map if Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) guidelines are exceeded or when blooms blow into the beach area. When at the beach, look for informational signs on blooms or yellow advisory signs.

The advisory status will end when levels are within state guidelines.

A few things to remember:

• You cannot always see or smell when water conditions are poor.
• Swimming is not recommended after a heavy rainfall because bacteria levels in the water may be high.
• People and pets should stay away from the water and avoid contact if a blue-green algae bloom is present (most often blue-green in color, but can also be reddish-purple, or brown), or the water is murky.

Algae are tiny, harmless organisms that are natural and common in freshwater. Blue-green algae, which is present in lakes throughout Minnesota, are not algae at all, but a type of bacteria called cyanobacteria. In the right conditions they can grow quickly to form “blooms”. Sometimes blue-green algae can produce cyanotoxins that can make humans and animals sick. Before getting in the water, always take an overall look at water conditions and do not enter the water if you see blue-green algae. Blue-green algae blooms and scum can move with the wind, so blooms will shift around the lake depending on weather conditions.

Learn how to recognize and respond to blue-green algae.

Despite its name, blue-green algae may not always be blue-green. It may also be reddish-purple or brown. Blue-green algae causes the water to be murky.

When environmental conditions are just right, blue-green algae can grow very quickly. Most species are buoyant and will float to the surface, where they form scum layers or floating mats.

• Do not swallow or go into water that looks like "pea soup", green or blue paint, or that has a scum layer or puffy blobs floating on the surface.
• Keep children and pets out of blue-green algae scum.

For more information about blue-green algae Minnesota Department of Health: Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is continuing to pilot the use of specialized buoys at two beaches as part of its efforts to deter geese on beaches and other nearby parkland. Goose poop in these areas can make conditions not just unpleasant, but also unhealthy. Large groups of geese roosting (resting overnight) or loafing (daytime congregating) on beaches can elevate a lake’s E. coli levels above state standards, requiring beaches to close.

The specially designed buoys are equipped with flashing lights that are close to the water and visible only at night or in low-light conditions. They are installed in the water near Bde Maka Ska 32nd Street Beach and Lake Harriet Southeast Beach: sites where geese are known to roost or loaf.
The buoys should not present a public nuisance, as their solar powered lights are quite dim. Their purpose is to disrupt geese’s sleeping patterns and encourage them to disperse. Geese choose beaches where they feel safe to sleep and the flashing lights are intended to cause them to feel less secure. The desired result is that geese choose other locations to sleep and feed.

Image provided by contractor

For additional information, please contact Customer Service: 612-230-6400 | info@minneapolisparks.org

Minneapolis parks are home to a variety of species of turtles. Nesting begins in the middle of May and turtles are often seen at this time laying eggs in sandy shoreline areas or moving across roadways to access preferred locations. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board follows neighboring parks and agency's recommendations to leave turtles alone and not mark or move nests. Currently, MPRB staff are working to better understand the turtle species in Minneapolis, collect data on nesting and road crossing areas and develop best management practices for habitat and species protection. If you spot a turtle nesting or a frequent road crossing location or have questions related to turtles, feel free to send us an email at turtles@minneapolisparks.org.

If you see a turtle - please report it using our ReportATurtle survey form. By filling out this form and submitting pictures you are helping protect turtles in Minneapolis. Turtles are especially vulnerable when found on land and crossing roads. Adults leave the water when they move between winter and summer habitats, and to lay eggs in a nest. Baby turtles (hatchlings) head to water 2-3 months after eggs are laid or in spring, after staying in the nest all winter. The information collected by the survey will help us learn where and when turtles are found and guide efforts to protect them at critical locations in Minneapolis.