The water quality of beaches is monitored from Memorial Day to Labor Day. We test for E. coli bacteria and blue-green algae and their toxins to protect swimmers and other recreational water users while enjoying our lakes and beaches. If a water test is concerning, the beach will close for swimming until E. coli bacteria or blue-green algae levels go down. 

If you are curious as to how we test the water quality, see the How We Monitor Beach Water Quality section.

Safe Swimming

Safe practices for swimming at public beaches or rivers:

• Always look for the water quality sign at the beach before entering the water, so you know the current condition of the beach water
• Although water is tested regularly, be sure to look at the water around you, as conditions can change fast and there may be signs of blue-green algae present
  • To learn more about Blue-green algae visit the Blue-Green Algae Information page
• Avoid swimming in heavy rain as bacteria levels may be high during this time
• Avoid swimming in areas where snails accumulate in the water
• Swim in water away from shore, if possible. 
  • Be sure to always practice water safety, and keep an eye on children if swimming in deeper water
• Towel off immediately after swimming
• Do not encourage birds to stay near swimming areas by feeding them
• Shower and was hands with soap and water after contact with beach water
  • This is especially important before eating
• Avoid contact with any blue-green algae blooms. They may look blue-green, green, reddish-purple, or brown, and can cause the water to be murky
• Do not swim or let pets swim if signs say the water is closed for swimming. 

Ingestion of water contaminated with bacteria causes symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramping
• Loss of appetite

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after swimming, it is important to contact your physician. 

To report a possible water quality concern, please contact Public Health at 715-726-7900 or email health@chippewacountywi.gov. To report a beach safety concern, please contact the Facilities & Parks Division at 715-726-7882 or email CCcamping@chippewacountywi.gov.

Water Conditions for Beaches Monitored by Public Health

Updates are posted weekly to our Facebook page between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Updates can also be found on the WI DNR Beach Closing and Advisories Map.

Beach Water Quality Awareness

Based off of the Environmental Protection Agency Water Quality Standards, each beach has signage indicating the level of safety based on bacteria levels. 

Blue-Green Algae Information

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, is present in bodies of water and thrives in warm, nutrient rich water. Certain varieties of blue-green algae produced in water contain toxins that cause illness in humans and pets.  

Wanting to know how the water quality is before our visit your favorite Chippewa beach? Check the water quality conditions on the map above and be sure to check the signs at each beach before you get in the water. 

Spotting blue-green algae:

Although you may be looking for blue-green colors in the water, this is not always the case with blue-green algae. It can be reddish-purple, or even brown, and causes the water to become murky looking. It can often be described as liking like pea soup or spilled green paint when it shows up green in color. 

When conditions are just right, blue-green algae can grow very quickly. When this happens, the blooms can be found by the bay or shoreline of the lake and can be found floating on the surface of the water. 

To learn more about what blue-green algae looks like visit this site: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/algae/images.htm.

Water conditions can change quickly, and test results may not always reflect eh current levels of blue-green algae, so be aware and always by looking. If you spot blue-green algae in a body of water, please contact us!

If you have been in water with blue-green algae: 

• Rinse off well when you get out of the water. 
• If you have any symptoms, call your healthcare provider or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. 
• Report a blue-green algae bloom or illness to the Chippewa County Department of Public Health and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
  • What to report:
    • Describe the bloom size
    • Give the location with the lake and town
    • If you see any dead fish in the lake around the blooms
    • Offer any photos taken of the bloom, if possible

Can animals be affected?

If you are a pet owner, it is important that you are on the lookout, as your pet does not know to avoid blue-green algae. 

Animals tend to swim and play in the water, leading them to swallow water and because animals have smaller bodies, they can get sick after swallowing just a small amount of contaminated water. 

How to keep them safe: 

• Choose clear water without discoloration of surface scum
• Do not let animals swim places where beach closure or water quality notices are posted
• Supervise dogs at all times
• Always offer fresh, clean water for animals to drink instead of lake, river, or pond water
• If you have any doubts at all, keeping animals out of the water is the safest thing to do
• Rinse animals off as soon as possible after being in the water. Since animals often lick their fur, they can swallow toxins even after being out of the water

Keep an eye out for symptoms such as:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Extreme tiredness

If your animal develops any of these symptoms, bring them to a veterinarian immediately.

You can help reduce the frequency and intensity of blue-green algae blooms!

Since we have no control over the water temperature, the best thing to do is reduce the amount of nutrients getting into the lake that algae can bloom with. This may take a long time and takes a lot of community involvement. 

How you can help:

• Limit the use of lawn fertilizers (especially if you reside on a body of water) 
• Avoid fertilizers that contain phosphate
• Perform routine maintenance on your septic system
• Keep leaves and grass clippings from washing into storm drains
• Plant native plants along the shoreline to help keep the water clean. 

How We Monitor Beach Water Quality

We monitor water quality at Chippewa County area beaches for E. coli bacteria and blue-green algae. We do this to keep harmful bacteria and toxins from making you sick while enjoying your favorite lakes and beaches.

Beaches we monitor:

• Chapman Lake:
  • Stanley Chapman Lake and Park
• Cornell Lake:
  • Cornell Lake Boat Landing Beach
• Lake Como:
  • Bloomer Beach
• Lake Holcombe:
  • Pine Point County Park
  • White Birch
  • Wayside Beach
• Lake Wissota:
  • Mallard Resort
  • Ray's Beach
• Long Lake:
  • Morris-Erickson County Park
• Otter Lake:
  • Otter Lake County Park
• Round Lake:
  • Round Lake

What we test for:

The most common germs found in water are bacteria, viruses, or parasites from human or animal feces. These germs can make individuals sick. It is important that these are tested for regularly to monitor the levels and prevent outbreaks of sickness in communities. 

E. coli Bacteria

E. coli is a bacterium that comes from the gastrointestinal tract and feces of humans and animals. When dispersed into water, it can be ingested by humans or animals and cause illness. Testing for E. coli is important as it is the best indicator if there are other germs in the water that could make you sick.

Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)

Blue-green algae is a bacterium that are naturally present in lakes and streams but can be toxic to people and animals when blooms are created. Blooms are created under certain circumstances with there is sunshine, heat, high levels of nutrients in the lake, and other factors.