Beaches Closed At Bde Maka Ska, Lake Hiawatha Due To E. Coli

Editor's note: A previous version of this article mistakenly stated Lake Harriet in the headline. The headline has since been corrected. Patch regrets the error.

MINNEAPOLIS — Two Minneapolis beaches are closed just days before the Fourth of July weekend due to high E. coli readings, according to authorities.

Thomas Beach at Bde Maka Ska and Hiawatha Beach at Lake Hiawatha both had elevated bacteria levels when they were sampled Monday, according to the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.

Stormwater from heavy weekend rain led to elevated bacteria, Dawn Sommers, the board's communications director, told KARE 11, adding results are expected Thursday from samples taken Wednesday morning that will determine if the beaches can reopen this weekend.

North Beach and 32nd Street Beach at Bde Maka Ska remain open.

Webber Natural Swimming Pool is also closed as of Tuesday due to high enterococci levels, according to authorities. The pool is undergoing maintenance and will reopen when bacteria is within board standards.