The Wright County Parks and Recreation Department has temporarily closed the Swimming Beach at Beebe Lake County Park (St. Michael, MN) as of Thursday, Aug. 13 and will remain closed through the weekend. Regular sampling of bacteria found that E. coli bacteria in the water exceeded specified guidelines. This closure is likely due to the recent rain events, as the department has not had this issue in the past.

There have been no reports of any illness from swimmers at the beach that county staff is aware of. All other beaches in the Wright County Parks & Recreation are opens and have safely passes the department’s most recent round of testing. These include Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park (Monticello), Schroeder Park and Campground (Annandale), Clearwater/Pleasant Park (Annandale) and Collinwood Park and Campground (Cokato).

A new round of samples at the Beebe Lake beach will be taken on Monday, Aug. 17. When the bacteria levels are within state guidelines, the beach will re-open.