Seven U.P. Beaches Reopen

From the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, at 2:00 Saturday afternoon:

Western U.P. Health Department announced the re-opening of seven bathing beaches Saturday following lab results that indicate it’s safe to swim. The beaches re-opened for recreation are Second Sand Beach north of L’Anse, Fort Wilkins State Park in Copper Harbor, Bete Gris Beach, Eagle Harbor, Calumet Waterworks Park, Lake Medora, and Porcupine Mountains State Park west of Silver City.

Aside from the seven re-opened locations, all other Western U.P. waters remain closed to recreation including swimming. Surface water samples collected at many other inland lakes and Lake Superior beaches still have high levels of E.coli and/or fecal coliform bacteria in exceedance of Michigan DEQ and U.S. EPA standards for body contact. The presence of E.coli and fecal coliforms means that the water has been contaminated by animal and/or human waste and exposure carries a significant health risk.

Health Department staff continue to monitor surface water quality throughout the Western Upper Peninsula and will update the public as conditions change. If you have questions regarding swimming safety, contact Tanya Rule, WUPHD Environmental Health Director, at (906) 482-7382.