Fifteen state beaches are unsafe for swimming for the unofficial last weekend of summer, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources beach monitoring report released Friday, Aug. 29. Two locally monitored beaches in the Des Moines area are also considered unsafe.

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: Aug. 27

Test results: Exceeded single-sample limit for E. coli

Beeds Lake Beach

Beach classification: Vulnerable

Last te

See Full Page