14 Michigan beaches closed for high bacteria levels

DETROIT – Several Michigan beaches, mostly in the Lower Peninsula, are facing closures due to an increased bacteria level.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality flagged 14 Michigan beaches for increased bacteria levels, as of July 9.

Most of the high bacteria levels are due to storm water runoff. With a heavy week of rain and storms behind us, this is pretty typical. Storm water runoff causes issues for beaches across the state.

The 14 beaches listed (as of July 9, 2021) are:

• Park Lake - Bath Township Park Lake Beach Clinton
• Crooked Lake - Independence Oaks County Park Oakland
• Ross Lake - Beaverton City Park Gladwin
• Saginaw Bay-Lake Huron - South Linwood Beach Township Park Bay
• Kiwassee Lake - Stratford Woods Park Beach Midland
• Handsome Lake - Crossroads For Youth Oakland
• Pontiac Lake - Pontiac Recreation Area Oakland
• Cass Lake - Willow Beach St (Keego Harbor) Oakland
• Walnut Lake - Bloomfield Square Beach Association Oakland
• Lake St. Clair - St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach Macomb
• Grand Traverse Bay-East - Traverse City State Park Grand Traverse
• Grand Traverse Bay-West - Sunset Park Grand Traverse
• Grand Traverse Bay-West - Senior Center Grand Traverse
• Lake Superior - Marquette South Beach Marquette