Public swimming beaches

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

The county has the authority to close contaminated beaches. Check here for regular updates. Additional public swimming beaches in the county (not listed here) are similarly monitored by their respective cities or regional park authorities.

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

Watch a 2-minute video on beach water quality on YouTube.

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Beaches monitored by Hennepin County

Hennepin County takes samples at designated beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Outside of these dates please contact the city or agency directly for information on the beach status.

Map instructions

This map displays beach locations primarily monitored by the county as well as some monitored by the Three Rivers Park District.

Monitored beach map.

To zoom in/out, use the +/- buttons or mouse wheel. Or zoom to a location by entering an address, city and zip code.
To pan across the map, hold down the left mouse button and move the map.
Display contact information and possible photos by clicking on a beach in the map.

Beach water sampling

Nearly all water-borne illnesses are caused by organisms in untreated waste, from humans and other animals, 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 E. coli bacteria, a primary indicator organism.

Beach water sampling results

When E. coli bacteria levels exceed guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Hennepin County Public Health recommends beach closure until subsequent sample results show a level within the acceptable range.

Other local agencies that sample beach water in Hennepin County:

Three Rivers Park District
Minneapolis lake water quality map from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Department
City of Minnetonka
City of Bloomington

Tips for staying healthy at the beach

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

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

Wait 24 hours to swim after a heavy rainfall.
Shower after being at the beach.
Don't mouth or swallow water.
Wash your 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 who are wearing diapers and those who are 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.

For more information, or to report water-related illnesses, please contact Hennepin County Environmental Health at 612-543-5200.

Other resources

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