Beach Water Quality
Every year thousands of people safely enjoy swimming in Wisconsin waters. The DNR and local health officials monitor water at public beaches on a regular basis to protect public health.
Research has linked swimming in polluted waters with adverse human health effects. People can be exposed to pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) in recreational waters through ingestion, inhalation, and body contact. Swimming-related illnesses caused by these pathogens include sore throats and diarrhea; respiratory, ear, eye, and skin infections; and more serious illnesses like meningitis and hepatitis.
All beaches shall be closed under the following conditions:
whenever a human health hazard exists as determined by local health officials (ex: reported illnesses)
after a major pollution event where potential exists that indicator levels may be expected to exceed standard (ex: sewage leak, spill)
after a significant rainfall even that is determined to impact a beach area
all beaches shall post closure signage whenever the level of E. coli in the beach water sample exceeds 1000 cfu/100mL
Beaches may be reopened when the sample result of one day of sampling following an exceedance is below the established criteria.
Jackson county monitored public park beaches
Jackson County beaches and swim areas are tested for E. coli by Jackson County Public Health from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. If a test comes back elevated, a re-test is completed. If the re-test sample comes back elevated, notifications and warning signs are posted.
Current Test Results
Lake Arbutus
Lake Wazee
Last Updated:
Results will be posted Memorial Day - Labor Day.
What does each advisory mean?
Green Advisory - No advisory, means the current E. coli levels in the water are considered normal.
Yellow Advisory - means that the current E. coli levels in the water are elevated higher than normal and an increased risk of illness may be present. Users should swim at their own risk. Make sure to not ingest the water. Shower after swimming. Wash hands before eating and do not swim if you are ill.
Red Advisory - means the beach is currently closed because the current E. coli levels in the water are extremely elevated and serious risk of illness may be present. Users should not be using the beach.
Blue-green algae
There are many species of blue-green algae found in Wisconsin lakes and rivers, but not all species can produce the algal toxins that cause illness. Not all algal blooms produce toxins; a blue-green algae bloom may not be producing toxins or producing enough toxin to cause a health concern. Larger algal blooms have the potential for higher concentrations of toxin. Unfortunately, there is no immediate way to know if an algal bloom is dangerous or not. It takes several days for a laboratory to analyze a water sample to see if toxins are present. During that time, a harmless algal bloom may become toxic, a toxic algal bloom may become harmless, or the bloom could blow away or dissipate all together.
Each algal toxin can affect your health differently: neurotoxins affect your central nervous system, hepatotoxins cause liver damage. Exposure to algal bloom material can also affect skin and the gastrointestinal system. Symptoms depend on which toxin and how much of it you are exposed to, and how you are exposed (drinking, swimming, etc.)
Common symptoms in humans can include sore throat, cough, eye irritation, itchy skin, hives, earache, agitation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.
Pets are especially susceptible to blue-green algae because they don’t naturally avoid smelly, green water. Because of their relatively small size, animals do not need to ingest very much tainted water to become ill. Many dogs have gotten sick, and some have died as a result of drinking water experiencing an algal bloom or licking their fur after swimming in algae-filled waters. If you have pets that enjoy swimming, check out this fact sheet from Wisconsin DHS Blue-Green Algae and Dog Safety (wisconsin.gov).