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The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) temporarily closed Bde Maka Ska Thomas Beach and Lake Hiawatha Beach on Tuesday June 22, when its regular sampling of bacteria found that E. coli bacteria levels exceeded state specified guidelines.
The elevated levels of bacteria are likely due to the heavy rainfall on Sunday June 20, which brought large amounts of stormwater into the lakes. While there are no reports of any illness from swimmers at these beaches, the MPRB routinely monitors lake water quality and proactively closes beaches if bacteria levels exceed state guidelines.
All other MPRB public beaches are open, including Bde Maka Ska's North Beach and 32nd Street Beach and Lake Nokomis' 50th Street Beach and Main Beach, south of Lake Hiawatha.
The MPRB posts all water sampling test results online at bit.ly/MPRBlakes. It will re-sample water at beaches today, June 23. When the bacteria levels are within state guidelines, the beaches will reopen.
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