Minneapolis Lake Reopens After E. Coli​ Infections

MINNEAPOLIS — Lake Nokomis reopened Thursday after 73 people became ill with diarrhea and other symptoms after swimming there this summer. The total includes the three initial lab-confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.

Although swimmers may now enter the water, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board beach season ended on Labor Day. Lifeguards are no longer on duty and all swimming docks and buoys are being removed throughout the system.

"The closure at Lake Nokomis was caused by a specific type of E. Coli that is not discoverable through routine water quality monitoring. Monitoring takes place during the MPRB’s beach season, typically from Memorial Day through Labor Day," Minneapolis park officials said in a statement.

"With beach season now ended, water quality testing has been discontinued for the year."

This incident was the first time in more than 25 years that any Minneapolis beach closed due to illness, according to a news release.