The wave of bacterial beach advisories sweeping across Michigan has hit two popular swimming spots in Oakland County, with health officials flying the no-swim flag for both Dodge Park #4 Beach and Thelma Spencer Park, as reported by a CBS News Detroit article. These advisories, prompted by recent test results showing higher-than-safe levels of E. coli, serve as a warning of potential stomach cramps, nausea, and fever for anyone deciding to take the risk and dive in.
Adding to the list, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy – or EGLE if you prefer acronyms that pop – has shuttered both Cass Lake and Emerald Lake for the same pesky bacterial reasons, as stated by the Detroit Free Press; the culprits for these closures could range from wildlife to unknown sources, and while E. coli is a common scapegoat for swimmer's itch it's an innocent bystander in that particular rash game, which the Clean Lakes Alliance clarifies is caused by parasitic critters from birds and mammals not by any bacteria.
But Michigan's bacterial woes don't stop at Oakland County; the list spans statewide with 11 beaches fighting contamination issues just as residents are ready to revel in the sun-soaked, 'bake on a lake' weekend forecast, detailed in an MLive article. With five advisories issued for the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay alone swimmers might have to pivot their plans, even though the state touts a grand total of over 1,800 beaches to choose from.
