No Body Contact Advisory Lifted for Wabasis Lake
GRAND RAPIDS, MI. (August 7, 2026) — The Kent County Health Department (KCHD), in partnership with the Kent County Parks Department, has lifted a No Body Contact Advisory for Wabasis Lake at Wabasis Campground (11220 Springhill Dr, Greenville, MI 48838).
Samples collected on Thursday, Aug. 6 showed E. coli levels well below Michigan's daily water quality standard for total body contact recreation of 300 E. coli per 100 milliliters of water. Based on these results, visitors are welcome to access the beach and water for swimming, wading, splashing, and water sports again.
Elevated E. coli levels can occur following heavy rainfall, wildlife activity, or other environmental factors, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal illness as well as infections of the ears, eyes, nose, and skin. To reduce the risk of illness while swimming or playing in lakes and other natural bodies of water, visitors should:
- Avoid swallowing surface water
- Avoid water that looks cloudy, discolored, or polluted in any way
- Stay out of the water if you have open cuts or wounds
- Do not swim if you are sick, especially with diarrhea, to help prevent the spread of illness
- Wash hands with soap and water before eating, especially after playing in the water or on the beach
- Shower before and after swimming
Natural lakes are home to a variety of wildlife and microorganisms, and occasional changes in water quality are a normal part of the environment. For more information about E. coli in surface water and recreational water quality testing, please visit the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) website. To check current beach closures and advisories, please visit the BeachGuard website.
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