Boys on the beachEach summer, Hennepin County Public Health samples and analyzes the water at 31 public swimming beaches to make sure it is safe for swimming.

This web page provides a regularly updated summary of beach status - OPEN or CLOSED. Additional public swimming beaches in the county (not listed here) are similarly monitored by their respective city or regional park authority.

Beach water sampling

Nearly all water-borne illnesses are caused by organisms in untreated human and other animal waste introduced to the water directly or via rainstorm runoff. To measure the risk of contracting gastrointestinal illnesses from recreational exposure to beach water, samples are collected and analyzed for Escherichia coli bacteria, a primary indicator organism.

Beach water sampling results

The table below shows the current status of beaches as of the most recent testing date. To meet EPA safe beach water standards, the measured E. coli bacteria count must be below 235 CFU/100ml in a single sample, or the geometric mean of 126 CFU/100ml from multiple samples.

When E. coli bacteria levels exceed these guidelines, Hennepin County Public Health recommends beach closure until resample results show a level within the acceptable range.

If a beach is listed as closed, you may contact the city listed for more information.

City Lake Beach Status
Deephaven Minnetonka Deephaven Main Beach - St. Louis Bay OPEN
Deephaven Minnetonka Lindwood OPEN
Deephaven Minnetonka Nocomo OPEN
Deephaven Minnetonka Northern Rd Sandy Beach OPEN
Deephaven Minnetonka Robinson's Bay OPEN
Deephaven Minnetonka Rocky Beach OPEN
Eden Prairie Riley Riley OPEN
Eden Prairie Round Lake Round Lake CLOSED
Excelsior Minnetonka Excelsior Commons OPEN
Fort Snelling Snelling Snelling Lake Beach OPEN
Independence Independence Camp Ihduhapi OPEN
Long Lake Long Lake Nelson Lakeside Beach OPEN
Maple Grove Weaver Lake Weaver Lake Park OPEN
Minnetonka Beach Minnetonka  Community Beach -
Beach Park		 OPEN
Minnetrista Dutch Camp Christmas Tree OPEN
Minnetrista Little Long Lake Camp Kingswood-East OPEN
Minnetrista Dutch Camp Voyageur OPEN
Mound Minnetonka Canary OPEN
Mound Minnetonka Sherven Park Beach OPEN
Mound Minnetonka Mound Bay Park OPEN
Mound Minnetonka Centerview Beach OPEN
Mound Minnetonka Wychwood Beach OPEN
Mound Minnetonka Chester OPEN
Orono Long Lake Summit Park Beach OPEN
Orono Minnetonka Camp TEKO OPEN
Orono Minnetonka Casco Point OPEN
Orono Minnetonka Lydiard OPEN
Orono Minnetonka Sandy Beach OPEN
Shorewood Minnetonka Crescent Beach OPEN
Tonka Bay Minnetonka Wekota Park Beach OPEN
Wayzata Minnetonka Wayzata OPEN


Other local agencies that sample beach water in Hennepin County:

Links to other beach water websites:

Tips for staying healthy at the beach:

The Centers for Disease Control has the following recommendations for staying healthy while enjoying the beach:

  • Wait 24 hours before swimming after a heavy rainfall.
  • Shower after being at the beach.
  • Don't mouth or swallow beach water.
  • Wash hands thoroughly before eating and after using the bathroom.
  • Don't swim if you're sick, or have a weakened immune system.
  • Put tight-fitting rubber or plastic pants on children wearing diapers and those not toilet-trained.
  • Take your children for frequent bathroom breaks.
  • Don't attract waterfowl to the beach by feeding ducks, geese, gulls, etc
  • Pick up your trash.
  • If you boat, properly dispose of waste.

Bacteria and viruses in the water can cause some ear and eye infections, stomach aches, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms.

For further information, or to report water-related illnesses, please contact Hennepin County Public Health at (612) 543-5200.