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Boreal Community Media

Bacteria warning issued for North Shore beaches

Jun 20, 2018 06:35AM ● By Editor
From the Duluth News Tribune on June 19, 2018

The weekend's downpours have apparently washed a lot of bacteria off the landscape, spurring beach bacteria alerts at three North Shore waterfront areas.

The Minnesota Department of Health has issued "water contact not advised'' warnings for Agate Bay Beach in Two Harbors, Knife River Marina Beach and Twin Points public access near Gooseberry Falls State Park and Gooseberry Falls State Park waterfront.

High levels of E. coli bacteria were measured at the three sites during tests Monday. That bacteria could indicate other, more harmful bacteria that can cause illness if ingested.

The advisories are more common in the Duluth harbor area but also occur occasionally on the Lake Superior waterfront. The bacteria detected could be from birds or animals or could signal human waste from sewage overflows or other issues.

Signs are posted at the beaches, which will be retested Wednesday. Updated results should be available Thursday. Anyone who becomes ill after contact with beach water should call the Minnesota Department of Health at (877) 366-3455.

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