Connor Matthes

Public Health Public Information Officer

Allegan County Health Department

(571)-752-5596

Beach Monitoring Season in Allegan County Resumes

(Allegan)— The Allegan County Health Department (ACHD) began its beach sampling season at select beaches the week of Memorial Day and will continue testing through the last week of August. The sampling and testing monitors E. coli levels in recreational waters so the public is aware of the beach conditions before recreating in those areas.

Beach monitoring is funded by grants from the Beach Act (Great Lakes beaches) and the State of Michigan’s Renew Michigan funds (inland beaches). Based on funding received, ACHD has selected the following Allegan County beaches to sample: 

• Oval Beach (Saugatuck)
• West Side County Park Beach (Ganges)
• Dumont Lake County Park Beach (Monterey)
• Gun Lake County Park Beach (Wayland)
• Little John Lake County Park Beach (Allegan)
• Swan Lake Boat Launch (Cheshire)

View Test Results

Test results will be posted to the ACHD website and Facebook page. Results can also be found on the MiEnviro BeachGuard Website.

If a beach tests above the established state health recommendations for E. coli, an advisory will be issued and posted on the ACHD website and Facebook page. Signage will be posted at the affected beach, recommending people avoid the water until follow-up testing shows that levels have lowered.  

Practice Safe Swimming and Help Prevent Waterborne Illnesses 

Swimming in any recreational body of water, including man-made ones (pools, hot tubs, etc.), comes with the risk of exposure to waterborne germs. Children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk for waterborne illnesses.

These germs can lead to ailments such as:

• Irritation of eyes, skin, or respiratory tract
• Swimmer’s ear
• Flu-like illnesses
• Diarrhea

Most of the time, Allegan County beaches and State Parks are safe, but use your best judgment when deciding to swim, including looking up current BeachGuard testing results.

To keep swimming areas safe and reduce the risk of waterborne illness: 

• Dispose of trash, animal waste, and boat waste properly
• Use the restroom before swimming 
• Do not swim in water that smells foul or looks murky
• Do not swim immediately after heavy rain when E. coli levels may be high 
• Do not swallow lake water 
• Vigorously towel off after swimming 
• Wash your hands with soap and water before eating 
• Shower as soon as possible when you return home 

For more information on Allegan County Beach Monitoring, visit allegancounty.org/health or contact ACHD at (269-673-5415) or alleganeh@allegancounty.org. More information on E. coli in surface water and water quality standards can be found at Michigan.gov/ecoli.