From Lake Superior spots on the Keweenaw Peninsula to small, private lakes in Oakland County, a handful of beaches across the state were either closed or had contamination advisories issued by the state as of today.
Some of the problems stem from high bacteria counts from storm water runoff exacerbated by recent heavy rains. Others are linked to sanitary sewage overflows. These issues and more have closed or prompted contamination advisories at 10 beach areas in Michigan.
The notifications were made as part of the state of Michigan’s Beach Guard system. Each beach’s status is subject to change as new test results come in.
To see an up-to-date map of the red-flagged beaches and details on the water quality tests, check the Beach Guard website here.
The Beach Guard site gives the public information on beach water quality across the state. It includes water sampling results and daily updates on which beaches are under advisories or have been closed.
The data covers more than 1,200 public beaches as well as 540 private ones.
HERE ARE THE CLOSURES AND ADVISORIES, LISTED BY THE BODY OF WATER WHERE THE BEACH IS LOCATED:
Reed Lake: Closed
Where: A Commerce Township, Oakland County lake and beach with public access.
Monitored by: Oakland County Health Division
Details: Closed since June 19 due to high bacteria levels caused by storm water runoff
Eagle Lake: Closed
Where: A lake and beach with public access in Lakeland Estates, in Oakland County’s Waterford Township.
Monitored by: Oakland County Health Division.
Details: Closed since July 2 due to high bacteria levels from an unknown source.
White Lake: Contamination Advisory
Where: Maple Park beach, which has public access on White Lake in Muskegon County’s city of Montague.
Monitored by: Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley State University.
Details: Contamination advisory issued July 7 due to high bacteria levels from an unknown source.
Lake Superior’s Lighthouse Overlook: Contamination Advisory
Where: The Lighthouse Overlook beach area at Fort Wilkins State Park, in Keweenaw County’s Grant Township.
Monitored by: Western Upper Peninsula Health Department
Details: Contamination Advisory issued July 22, after a sanitary sewer overflow.
Lake Superior’s Copper Harbor – West Lagoon: Contamination Advisory
Where: The West Lagoon is a beach west of the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Keweenaw County’s Grant Towhship, near Fort Wilkins State Park.
Monitored by: Western Upper Peninsula Health Department
Details: The contamination advisory began on July 22, after a sanitary sewage overflow.
Duck Lake in Oakland County – Closed
Where: This is a private beach owned by the Seven Craven Association in Oakland County’s Highland Township.
Monitored by: Oakland County Health Division.
Details: The closure was issued July 30 after storm water runoff caused high bacteria levels.
Wolverine Lake: Closed
Where: Spring Lake Heights, a private beach, is on Wolverine Lake in Oakland County.
Monitored by: Oakland County Health Division.
Details: The beach closure began Aug. 1 after high bacteria levels were detected, caused by storm water runoff.
Houghton Lake in Roscommon County – Contamination Advisory
Where: Houghton Lake Heights is a public beach in Heightsview Beach Park on Houghton Lake. It’s located on Williams Street in Roscommon County’s Roscommon Township.
Monitored by: Central Michigan District Health Department.
Details: The Contamination Advisory was issued on Aug. 7 after high bacteria levels were detected from an unknown source.
Walled Lake’s city beach – Closed
Where: E.V. Mercer City Beach is a public beach in Oakland County’s Walled Lake Township.
Monitored by: Oakland County Health Division.
Details: This beach was closed for the second time this summer on Aug. 8 because of high bacteria levels from storm water runoff
Sylvan Lake in Oakland County – Closed
Where: Ferndale beach is a public access site on Sylvan Lake in Oakland County’s Sylvan Lake Township.
Monitored by: Oakland County Health Division
Details: The closure began on Aug. 8 after high bacteria levels from storm water runoff were detected.