Bde Maka Ska Thomas Beach, Lake Hiawatha Beach close due to high level of E. coli

Two Minneapolis beaches are temporarily closed due to high level of E. coli found.

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.

MPRB said 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 will re-sample water at beaches on Wednesday. When the bacteria levels are within state guidelines, the beaches will reopen.

All water sampling rest results can be found online on MPRB’s website.