Minneapolis park officials have temporarily closed beaches at two city lakes because of high counts of E. coli bacteria.
The Lake Hiawatha Beach was closed Tuesday after regular sampling found the bacteria exceeded state guidelines. Two beaches at Lake Calhoun — Thomas Beach and the 32nd Street Beach — were closed on Saturday.
All other city beaches are open, including North Beach at Lake Calhoun.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board monitors its beaches, testing to ensure that bacteria levels fall within state guidelines. Officials have received no reports of illness from swimmers at any of the beaches.
The 32nd Street Beach will be retested on Wednesday; Thomas Beach and Lake Hiawatha beach will be tested on Monday.
Updated beach test results are posted on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's website and is available by calling the park board's beach hot line at 612-313-7713.
Mary Lynn Smith
