Now that the snow and ice have finally dwindled, the Minnesota Department of Health beach monitoring program has begun. Two Cook County beaches received “no water contact” advisories this week. When the water at the beaches–Paradise Beach and Durfee Creek Beach–was retested on June 3, the bacterial levels had returned to acceptable levels.
Water samples collected on June 2, 2014 at Paradise Beach had bacteria levels that indicate possible fecal contamination. The water at the beach will be tested again today.
The Durfee Creek Area Beach also showed elevated levels of E.coli bacteria from the test on June 2. The beach will also be retested today.
Other beaches that received advisories on June 2 include Agate Bay, Burlington Bay and French River Beaches in Two Harbors and the 20th Street/Hearding Island Canal Beach and the Lakewalk Beach in Duluth. All of those no-contact advisories were removed after retesting except for the French River beach. That advisory remains in place.
Beach monitoring is conducted at the following beaches in Cook County: Chicago Bay boat launch in Hovland; Paradise Beach, Kadunce Creek, Durfee Creek in Colvill; Old Shore Road, Harbor Park in Grand Marais, Recreation Park campground in Grand Marais, Cutface Creek Wayside Rest; Temperance River State Park, Schroeder Town Park and Sugarloaf Cove Beach in Schroeder. At press time, all had “water contact acceptable” ratings.
A number of factors, such as dog, geese and other wildlife feces, dirty diapers, failing septic systems and sewer line breaks and overflows, can contribute to higher levels of illness causing bacteria.
The Minnesota Lake Superior Beach Monitoring Program offers the following tips to minimize risks associated with potential water contamination. Its website recommends waiting 24 hours before going swimming after a heavy rainfall and showering after swimming or recreating at the beach. It also advises that beach goers do not swallow water and that they try to keep face and head out of the water. If possible, the website says to wear earplugs and goggles. Finally, it advises people with weakened immune systems not to swim.
Anyone who becomes ill after contacting beach water is asked to contact the Minnesota Department of Health at (877) 366-3455.
To find the latest results of beach monitoring for North Shore beaches, visit www.pca.state.mn.us/water/ beaches/.
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