MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — Michigan's environment regulatory agency closed a handful of Muskegon County beaches and parks due to elevated E. coli levels Wednesday.
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park's public beach and campground, Pere Marquette Beach, Mona Lake Beach and the Water Sports Park on Muskegon Lake in North Muskegon were all listed as closed for swimmers Wednesday.
Each had high levels of bacterial and a Contamination Advisory in place, according to Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy BeachGuard website.
The source of the contamination is likely storm runoff.
A beach is closed if the monitoring conducted finds levels of bacteria exceed the limits established by the Michigan Public Health Code.
Visitors are strongly encouraged not to swim, but if they do, you're encouraged to take these steps to prevent recreational water illness, including:
- Keep pets off the beach
- Do not feed the birds
- Use the restroom before swimming
- Do not swim in water that smells foul, looks murky, or immediately after a heavy rain
- Do not swallow lake water
- Vigorously towel off after swimming
- Wash your hands with soap and water before eating
- Shower as soon as possible when you return home
You can get the latest beach advisories and closures from Michigan's BeachGuard System here.
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