Jul 22, 2024

Even with flood waters gone, Iowa beaches and trails may still not be safe

Posted Jul 22, 2024 8:12 PM

(Radio Iowa) - Many parks, trails, waterways and docks in northeast Iowa are reopening as early summer floodwaters recede, but safety for parkgoers remains a concern as bacteria and other contaminant levels in area rivers remain high.

Lori Eberhard, park director for George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, says even though the rivers might look safer with the water levels down, the risk of illness for swimmers remains high. The Iowa D-N-R tests bodies of water weekly, but contaminants are still elevated due to stagnation and sediment that comes with flooding.

When hiking, Eberhard stresses caution even when the ground appears stable, as weakened trees may just fall down. The D-N-R says around a dozen beaches at Iowa lakes are not recommended for swimming this week due to high levels of e-coli, algae toxins, or both.