Coralville Reservoir, Red Rock and Saylorville Beach Monitoring Results

For information regarding beach advisories and conditions, please contact the Natural Resource Specialist or Park Ranger at the following lakes:

• Saylorville Lake - 515-276-4656
• Lake Red Rock - 641-828-7522
• Coralville Lake - 319-338-3543
• Rathbun Lake -641-647-2464
  

State Standard

The bacteria standard for Iowa’s recreational waters consists of two components:

• A geometric mean standard based on 5 samples in a 30-day period (126 colony-forming units of E. coli bacteria per 100 mL of water).
• A one-time maximum standard based on a single sample (235 colony forming units of E. coli bacteria per 100 mL of water).

State advisory threshold for Cyanobacteria Toxins (Blue-Green Algae Toxins)

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Public Health (DPH), follows guidelines recommended by the US EPA in 2019 for monitoring cyanotoxins in recreational waters in order to safeguard public health.

• 8 µg/L total microcystins from any composite beach sample.

Posting of Signs/Advisories

All State monitored beaches are posted with Information Signs on indicator bacteria and blue-green algae toxins that provide general information regarding ways to reduce the potential health risk associated with swimming at public beaches. These signs will also inform the public of current monitoring efforts and ways to obtain the data.

Posting will only occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day (recreational monitoring season). Advisories are generally updated on Fridays of each week during the recreational monitoring season, but may be earlier or later in the week depending on the timing of holidays, sampling schedules and availability of laboratory results. All monitored beaches will be signed to “Watch / General Information” when an advisory is not in effect or when monitoring is not occurring.

Beaches that exceed Iowa’s geometric mean water quality standard for indicator bacteria (the geometric mean of 5 samples in a 30-day period exceeds 126 colony forming units of E. coli bacteria per 100 ml of water) will be posted with a warning sign that state, “Swimming is Not Recommended”.

Vulnerable and Transitional Beaches that exceed the one-time sample maximum water quality standard for indicator bacteria (235 CFU/100ml) will be posted with a warning sign that states, “Swimming is Not Recommended”.

Beaches that exceed Iowa’s advisory threshold level for cyanobacteria toxins (8 µg/L total microcystins) will be posted with a warning sign that state, “Swimming is Not Recommended”.

Advisories will remain in effect until the geomean for indicator bacteria drops below the water quality standard, the one-time sample maximum for indicator bacteria drops below the water quality standard, and the one-time sample maximum for Cyanobacteria toxins drops below the advisory threshold.

Beach Classification – Calculated Annually

State park beaches are classified into one of three categories based on their history of bacteria results in recent years: vulnerable, transitional, and less vulnerable.

Beaches are classified as “vulnerable” when the geometric mean standard of 126 Most Probable Number (MPN) / 100 ml is exceeded in three or more sampling seasons of the most recent five years of monitoring.

Beaches are classified as “transitional” when the geometric mean standard of 126 MPN / 100 ml is exceeded in two or fewer sampling seasons of the most recent five years of monitoring and was listed as “vulnerable” in the previous monitoring seasons.

Beaches are classified as “less vulnerable” when the geometric mean standard of 126 MPN / 100 ml is exceeded in two or fewer sampling seasons of the most recent five years of monitoring and was listed as “transitional” or “less vulnerable” in the previous monitoring seasons.

Why monitor beaches?

Swimming in lakes or any other natural body of water involves risks. By far, the greatest risk is drowning caused in part by cloudy water, fast currents, submerged objects, or the lack of lifeguards. Water at Iowa’s state-owned swimming beaches is monitored to assess the public health risk from waterborne diseases that may result from immersion in the water.

What is the DNR monitoring?

Water samples from the beaches are analyzed for microorganisms, known as bacteria and cyanobacteria toxins. These indicator bacteria are one-celled organisms visible only under a microscope. High levels of these bacteria indicate that the water has come into contact with fecal material. Indicator bacteria (Bacteria that normally are not pathogenic [disease causing] but serve as indicators of certain types of pollution such as sewage or manure runoff) are commonly used by state environmental agencies and by the U.S. EPA to determine the suitability of beaches for swimming-type uses.

Cyanobacteria, which are often referred to as blue-green algae, are microscopic organisms that are naturally present in all aquatic ecosystems, ranging from hypersaline to freshwater environments, and are important components of food webs and the nitrogen cycle. Cyanobacteria can form blooms that sometime produce toxins. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources analyzes for cyanotoxins called microcystins which is the most widespread and frequently occurring cyanobacterial toxins produced by blooms found in Iowa’s surface waters.

Can these bacteria make me sick?

The indicator bacteria for which we monitor do not themselves make you sick. These bacteria are easy to collect and analyze and are relatively safe to handle. They are very common in the environment, including lakes and rivers. High levels of these bacteria indicate that the water has come into contact with fecal material and that pathogens or disease-causing microorganisms may be present. Levels of indicator bacteria above the water quality standard indicate a greater risk of becoming sick for people recreating in the water.

Why doesn't the DNR monitor pathogens?

Disease-causing organisms, known as pathogens, exist as bacteria, viruses or parasites. Monitoring for these pathogens is expensive and difficult. Large volumes of water are needed to monitor for pathogens because they are present in such small numbers. Many different types of pathogens exist and testing for a single pathogen may not accurately assess the health risk present due to other pathogens. Because indicator bacteria occur in greater numbers than pathogens and are easier to isolate in a laboratory, monitoring for them is more cost-effective.

What are the sources of bacteria and pathogens?

Fecal bacteria, and sometimes pathogens, are present in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans. They are carried into the water with fecal material. Fecal contamination can occur due to improperly constructed and operated septic systems and sewage treatment plants, manure spills, storm water runoff from lands with wildlife and pet droppings, or direct contamination from waterfowl, livestock, or small children in the water.

How are the samples collected at the beach?

Samples are collected weekly at state owned beaches from the week prior to Memorial Day through Labor Day. Water samples are taken at three locations along the beach and at three water depths (ankle-, knee-, and chest-deep). The water from these locations is mixed to form one sample, which is placed in a sterilized bottle and taken to a laboratory for analysis.

What levels are considered safe?

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has guidelines for the amount of bacteria acceptable in water bodies designated for primary body contact recreation, including swimming and water skiing. In Iowa, these waters are called "Class A waters". The bacteria level in the water is acceptable if the “geometric mean” is not greater than 126 colonies per 100 milliliters of water for E. coli bacteria. According to U.S. EPA guidelines, the “geometric mean” is calculated using at least five consecutive samples collected during a 30-day period. Additionally, Iowa also has a "one-time" standard for E. coli bacteria of 235 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water.

What factors cause high levels of bacteria?

Fecal contamination of beach water occurs due to improperly constructed and operated septic systems and sewage treatment plants, manure spills, storm water runoff from lands with wildlife and pet droppings, or direct contamination from waterfowl, livestock, or small children in the water. In Iowa, rain appears to be one of the most important factors in generating high levels of bacteria. Surface runoff after a heavy rainfall may transport high levels of fecal bacteria to the water at the beach. The rain also increases the sediment in the water causing it to be murky. Since bacteria are destroyed by sunlight, murky water aids in their survival.

Potential illnesses associated with swimming?

Thousands of people swim at Iowa's beaches every year and most of them do not get sick. However, children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems have an increased risk of becoming ill when in contact with contaminated water. A variety of diarrheal diseases, and other infections such as skin, ear and respiratory infections, are associated with swimming in contaminated water. Diarrhea is one of the most common illnesses associated with swimming. Diarrhea is spread when disease-causing microorganisms from human or animal feces get into the water. You can get diarrhea by accidentally swallowing small amounts of water that contains these microorganisms.

How can I avoid getting sick?

Avoid swimming after a heavy rainfall when indicator bacteria levels are generally higher and the water is murky. Avoid swallowing the water. Young children swimming at the beach can leak fecal bacteria and associated pathogens from their diapers, so change your child’s diapers often and visit bathrooms frequently. If you or your child has diarrhea, please stay out of the water because you may contaminate the water with fecal material. Although swimmers with diarrhea do not mean to contaminate the water, this is often how disease is spread.

Eating fish from waters with high levels of bacteria?

High levels of indicator bacteria or pathogens have no influence on the quality of fish for human consumption. While alive, the fish is protected from water-borne contaminants by the skin, scales and mucus covering its body. Proper fish cleaning, rinsing, refrigeration and cooking should always be used.

More information about cyanotoxins

Iowa Department of Public Health

https://idph.iowa.gov/Environmental-Health-Services/Reportable-Conditions/Harmful-Algal-Blooms

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

https://www.cdc.gov/habs/index.html

US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency)

https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/harmful-algal-blooms

Swimmers itch. What causes it?

Swimmers itch is acondition is caused by parasitic flatworms. The flatworm eggs are transferred to water by bird droppings. The eggs hatch and infect snails, from which the free swimming form of the flatworm larvae emerges. In the absence of a suitable host, such as a bird, the parasite will attempt to penetrate the skin of humans, after which it quickly dies, causing an allergic reaction below the skin resulting in welts and itching.



There are few simple steps swimmers can take to help prevent swimmers itch.

First, if possible, avoid swimming in areas containing aquatic plants because marshy areas often contain snails, which are the parasite’s intermediate host. Swimmers can also reduce the amount of time in the water, avoid beaches that are being pounded by waves and dry off quickly when getting out of the lake.

The welts and itching caused by the parasitic little pest can last for several days to about a week and usually don't require a visit to the doctor. An antihistamine along with calamine lotion can be used to treat the affected areas.

For more information on swimmer’s itch visit the following websites:

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/swimmersitch/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/swimmers-itch/DS00902

What about Naegleria fowleri?

• Keeping heads out of water
• Plugging nose when going under water
• Wearing nose clips or snorkeling goggles
• Avoid digging or stirring up sediment at the bottom of the lake

Is the DNR monitoring for Naegleria fowleri?

The DNR is following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance when it comes to Naegleria fowleri. The CDC does not recommend routine testing of natural water bodies (such as all beaches) for Naegleria fowleri because the amoeba is naturally occurring and there is no established relationship between detection or concentration of Naegleria fowleri and risk of infection.

For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/