(Okoboji)– If you’re thinking about taking a dip at the public beach at Pike’s Point State Park you might want to think again.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has posted signs at the beach stating that swimming is not recommended due to possible bacteria in the water.
DNR officials say recent heavy rains have caused bacteria levels at Pike’s Point and nine other beaches at state parks in other parts of the state to increase recently.
The DNR says they decided to post the signs due to heavy runoff, which can carry fecal bacteria from feedlots, farm fields, wildlife areas and yards. The heavy rain also caused bypasses at sewage treatment plants that also send fecal bacteria into streams, which in some cases feed lakes.
