The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) temporarily closed Lake Hiawatha Beach on Tuesday August 24, when its routine monitoring for lake water quality found that E. coli bacteria levels exceeded state-specified guidelines.
There are no reports of any illness from swimmers at this beach; however, the MPRB proactively closes beaches if bacteria levels exceed state guidelines.
The Wirth Lake beach and 32nd St. Beach at Bde Maka Ska also remain closed. All other MPRB public beaches are open and have acceptable bacteria levels.
Get up-to-date information on results from lake water quality testing online at bit.ly/MPRBlakes. MPRB will re-sample and test water at Lake Hiawatha Beach on Monday, August 30. The beach will re-open when the bacteria levels are within state guidelines.
Swim Healthy
- Don’t swim if you or your child have diarrhea or are sick
- Be careful to not get lake water in your mouth
- Wash your hands before eating and after changing a diaper
- Avoid swimming after a rainfall: high bacterial levels in lakes generally return to normal levels within 48 hours of a rainfall
- Towel dry immediately after exiting the water to prevent Swimmer’s Itch
- When it doubt, stay out. Do not swim or play in blue-green algae.