More beaches have been added to the not recommended for swimming list, according to the latest Iowa Department of Natural Resources beach monitoring report released Aug. 1.
Fifteen beaches monitored by the state and two Des Moines area beaches tested high for E. coli or toxic algae. There were three new beaches not recommended for swimming, while one beach saw enough improvement in its water quality improvements to be rated OK for swimming.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources monitors water quality at 39 state-owned swimming beaches and provides weekly updates to the public through its website and a hotline at 515-725-3434. Sampling begins the week before Memorial Day and continues through Labor Day.
What Iowa DNR beaches are not recommended for swimming?
Backbone Beach
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 30
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
Beeds Lake Beach
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 29
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
Bobwhite State Park
- Beach classification: NA
- Last test date: July 29
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
Brushy Creek Beach
- Beach classification: Less vulnerable
- Last test date: July 29
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
Emerson Bay Beach
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 30
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
Lake Ahquabi Beach
- Beach classification: Less vulnerable
- Last test date: July 30
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
Lake Darling Beach
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 30
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli and algal toxin levels
Lake Manawa Beach
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 29
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
Lake of Three Fires Beach
- Beach classification: Less vulnerable
- Last test date: July 30
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
McIntosh Woods Beach
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 29
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
Nine Eagles Beach
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 29
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
Pine Lake South Beach
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 29
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
Pleasant Creek Beach
- Beach classification: Less vulnerable
- Last test date: July 30
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
Prairie Rose Beach
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 29
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
Union Grove Beach
- Beach classification: Vulnerable
- Last test date: July 30
- Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli
What Des Moines area beaches are not recommended for swimming?
- Blue Heron Lake Beach at Raccoon River Park: Testing on July 30 found E. coli levels above the acceptable range, according to the West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department.
- Easter Lake: As of July 31, Polk County Conservation has determined that the levels of E. coli in the water exceed the acceptable range, and swimming is not recommended.
What Iowa beaches have a special status?
- Lake Keomah Beach: Monitoring by DNR has been suspended for the 2025 season. The DNR drained the lake in July 2024 for a major renovation and water quality improvement project that will last until spring 2026. The DNR warns people to stay out of the lake bed, which might look dry, but is soft and could quickly entrap people.
- Rock Creek Beach: There was no sample analyzed for the 11th week of testing, according to the Iowa DNR. The beach was rated swimming not recommended in week 10, but had acceptable test results in weeks 1 through 9.
What beaches have improved to ‘OK for swimming’?
Black Hawk Beach is the only lake that saw improvements in water quality from week 10 data, posted on July 25, to week 11. It has since been removed from the list of beaches not recommended for swimming.
How does the Iowa DNR classify Iowa’s beaches based on their water quality?
DNR officials classify state park beaches into one of three categories annually based on their history of bacteria results in recent years:…