The chances are good that you saw a warning for bacteria or algae posted at your favorite Iowa state park beach sometime this summer. The Department of Natural Resources posts the warnings when testing shows high levels of either in the water.  Mary Skopec oversees the water monitoring program and says there was a north-south split when it came to they type of issues found at the lakes.

 

Skopec says there were 37 warnings posted at beaches for high levels of algae, and many more for bacteria concerns.

 

Skopec says the high number of e-coli levels is due to the heavy rains that washed materials into lakes. She says the record number of algae warnings is something to keep an eye on.

Skopec says preventing the algae issues in the lakes is a long-term issue.