MPRB staff monitor, inspect, and test water at beaches to reduce the chance of illness from bacteria or harmful algae in the water. Scroll down for more information.

 

Water Quality Status Map

Check updates for Minneapolis lakes and beaches

For additional information please contact Customer Service:
Phone: 612-230-6400
Emailinfo@minneapolisparks.org

How we communicate about beach water quality

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beach closure card with QR code

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 for 48 hours after a rainfall when bacteria levels can be high.
  • Towel dry immediately after exiting the water to prevent Swimmer’s Itch.
  • Do not swim in water that looks like “pea soup” or spilled paint floating on the surface: Learn how to recognize and respond to blue-green algae.
  • Keep children and pets out of blue-green algae scum

Beach Water Quality

Minneapolis beaches are monitored between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Beaches have an advisory or are closed when monitoring results indicate an increased risk of getting sick from swimming. Blue-green advisories and beach closures are posted at the beach and on the Lake Water Quality Map.

Before Swimming

  • Conditions can change quickly, and testing results may not always show real time conditions, so swimmers should always look at overall conditions before deciding to swim.
  • If you can’t see your feet when in knee deep water or there is a blue-green algae scum on the surface or shoreline, it’s best to stay out of the water.
  • Blue-green algae blooms and scum can move with the wind, so blooms will shift around the lake depending on weather conditions.
  • Swimming is not advisable for 48 hours after a heavy rainfall because bacteria levels in the water may be high.

Know Before You Go

Often, when one beach is closed for swimming, others are open. Check before you head out the door. The Lake Water Quality Map is updated with current beach water quality conditions. You can also subscribe to get email notifications.

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Conditions Can Change Quickly

Many factors can influence water quality:

  • Recent weather conditions like wind or rain
  • Time of day
  • Waterfowl and wildlife at the beach
  • Number of people at the beach
  • Physical characteristics of the beach.

It’s possible for conditions to vary significantly throughout the day and from day to day.

Blue-Green Algae

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)

How We Monitor Beach Water Quality

Minneapolis beaches are monitored between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Beaches have an advisory or are closed when monitoring results indicate an increased risk of getting sick from swimming. Blue-green algae advisories and beach closures are posted at the beach and on the Lake Water Quality Map.

What We Test Water For

E. coli Bacteria

  • Germs found in water are most commonly bacteria, viruses, or parasites from human or animal feces. These germs can cause swimmers to become sick.
  • Because testing for everything in the water that could make you sick is time-consuming and expensive, scientists and beach managers use indicator organisms for monitoring. For freshwaters, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is an indicator to tell if there are bacteria in the water that can make people sick.

Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)

  • Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can form blooms in freshwater that can be toxic to people and animals, causing a variety of symptoms.
  • MPRB Staff test for the most common toxin producing cyanobacteria found in lakes similar to MPRB lakes: microcystin, anatoxin-a and cylindrospermopsin to determine the potential for a toxic bloom that could impact human and pet health.

When We Collect Water Samples

E. coli Bacteria

  • MPRB Staff collect water for E. coli testing at least once a week at each beach.
  • If bacteria levels are above state standards, the beach will be closed for swimming and sampling will continue.
  • Beach closure signage is posted on the Lake Water Quality Map and at the beach when E. coli levels exceed standards.
  • Beaches will stay closed for swimming until routine sampling shows that levels are within standards, the beach is reopened for swimming.

Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)

  • MPRB Staff collect water for cyanotoxin testing once a week at each of the beaches.
  • MPRB Staff visually monitor for the presence of cyanobacteria at least once a week at each beach.
  • In addition, if a lifeguard or beach user reports an algae bloom, MPRB Water Quality staff will inspect that beach as soon as possible.
  • Advisories will be posted on the Lake Water Quality Map and at the beach when cyanotoxin levels exceed MPCA standards.
  • Beaches will stay posted for advisories or closures for swimming until cyanotoxin levels meet MPCA standards AND visual monitoring indicates there is no longer an active blue-green algae bloom in the beach area.
  • Minnesota Department of Health (MDH): Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

Why is There a Beach Advisory/Closure?

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:

Single-Sample Limit A single water sample exceeds an E. coli count of 1,260 organisms per 100mL of water.
Geometric Mean The geometric mean of E. coli counts from 5 samples equally spaced over a 30-day period exceed 126 organisms per 100mL of water.

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.

Blue-green algae cyanotoxin Swimming guidelines (ug/L)
Microcystin 6

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.

How to Report an Illness

To report a suspected waterborne illness, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 1-877-366-3455 (or 651-201-5655 from the Twin Cities). Or email the Minnesota Department of Health at health.foodill@state.mn.us

Protecting Your Pets

Dogs that come into contact with blue-green algae blooms can get sick, and sometimes die because their bodies are smaller, and they tend to swallow a lot of water.

  • Reminder that dogs are not allowed at the Minneapolis Beaches and must always be on leash.
  • Always look at water conditions before letting your dog swim or wade.
  • Give your dog freshwater to minimize the amount of lake water they drink.
  • Rinse your dog off as soon as possible after being in the water. Since dogs often lick their fur, they can swallow toxins even after they are dry.

If your dog has been in the water near a blue-green algae bloom and they seem sick, call your vet.

For more information about protecting your pets: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

Protecting Lake Water Quality

You can help reduce nutrients in lakes by:

  • Minimizing the use of lawn fertilizers.
  • Not using phosphate-containing fertilizers.
  • Preventing leaves and grass clippings from washing into storm drains.
  • Cleaning up after your pets.
  • Pick up trash and dirty diapers and dispose of properly.
  • Don’t feed the birds – it’s is better for the health of the birds, people, and the environment to not feed the geese and ducks.

Reducing the amount of pet and waterfowl waste that wash into our lakes and ponds will help to reduce the bacteria levels at the beaches. Decreasing nutrients will help to decrease the frequency and intensity of blue-green algae blooms. These actions may take time and a lot of community involvement to effectively change the impacts of bacteria and blue-green algae blooms in Minneapolis lakes.

Swimmer’s Itch

  • What causes it? An allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites that infect some birds, snails, and mammals.
  • When does it occur? Most often after swimming on hot, still summer days.
  • Symptoms: Small, irritating red welts that appear after swimming.
  • Prevention: Towel dry immediately after exiting the water and shower afterwards, when possible.

Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for more information regarding swimmer’s itch.

Naegleria fowleri

Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba found in warm freshwater and soil that can cause a very rare but often fatal brain infection.

Infections occur when water with the amoeba enters the body through the nose. You cannot be infected by swallowing contaminated water and the amoeba cannot pass through the skin. To reduce your risk, the Minnesota Department of Health recommends:

  • Avoid putting your head under the water.
  • Hold your nose shut or use nose clips.
  • Avoid warm freshwater when the water temperature is high and the water level is low.
  • Avoid digging or stirring up the sediment in shallow, warm freshwater areas.

Visit the Minnesota Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites for additional information.

Impacts of Wild and Domestic Animals

Waste from waterfowl and pets can impact lake water quality and E. coli levels at Minneapolis beaches.

Feeding waterfowl can lead to large groups of birds, which in turn produce large amounts of poop. This waste worsens lake water quality, leads to higher bacteria levels and causes beach closures. Bird waste at beaches, restaurants and grassy areas causes unpleasant and unhealthy conditions.

Please don’t feed the birds – it is better for the health of the birds, people and the environment to not feed the geese and ducks.

Please pick up after your pets – waste from pets, like dogs, also contributes to poor water quality and higher E. coli levels. Information about pet waste and its impacts can be found at our Canines for Clean Water campaign site.

For more information about the impacts of wild and domestic animal waste on water quality please email: waterquality@minneapolisparks.org.

MPRB Beach Locations

The MPRB has 12 public beaches: Beach hours and locations. Check on the Beach Water Quality Status before your visit.