Ramsey County closes some of its beaches due to high E. coli levels

Ramsey County closed the swimming beaches at Long Lake Regional Park and Tony Schmidt Regional Park at Lake Johanna on Wednesday because of high E. coli levels.

Bacteria levels at both beaches will be retested Thursday. The earliest the beaches could reopen is Friday. While the beaches are closed, no lifeguards are on duty.

All other guarded and unguarded beaches operated by Ramsey County tested within safe bacteria limits and will remain open. Beachgoers were advised to use the nearby guarded beaches at Lake Josephine County Park, Lake McCarrons County Park and Snail Lake in Vadnais-Snail Lake Regional Park during the closure.

The summer beach season runs through Aug. 16.