As you head to the beach this summer, you’ll want to consider your spot before jumping in. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has closed one beach in Door County due to elevated bacteria levels, and another is currently under an advisory.
As of June 4th, Portage Park Beach, a small sand beach near Sturgeon Bay, has been temporarily closed after water quality tests detected high levels of E.coli bacteria, which is naturally found in the feces of all warm blooded animals. The source of the E.coli can determine the severity of the hazard; which can be identified through microbial source tracking. Certain weather conditions can further influence potential bacterial growth.
“After heavy rainfalls, it’s very common to see high levels of E.coli because of runoff,” said Diane Packett, the Wisconsin Coastal Beach program manager with the DNR, “it depends a lot on what the surroundings are and what the sources of E.coli are.”
Bacteria levels also initiated an advisory for a second Sturgeon Bay location, Goldenrod Lane Beach. While this beach has not yet been formally closed due to bacteria, the report indicates levels are elevated.
Swimmers should exercise caution when entering water at a beach with an active advisory, but avoid it altogether at ones that are closed. E.coli infections may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, but other complications can develop in young children and those with weakened immune systems.
“It has a probability of getting sick, but it does depend on whether or not they ingest water,” Packett added, “little kids and pets are more susceptible because they do tend to swallow more water and they have a smaller body mass.”
During advisories, Packett suggests recreating only on the sand and taking reasonable precautions. Beach-goers should avoid ingesting the lake water, shower after swimming, wash or sanitize their hands before eating, and keep an eye on small children and pets.
Water is routinely tested at Great Lake and inland beaches, and after lab analysis, the results are publicly posted on the DNR website. Water quality monitoring is funded by the US EPA and a real-time list of beach closures and advisories is available on the DNR website here.
