Safe Water for Swimming
Our Beach Monitoring Program evaluates the water quality along about 50 Great Lakes and Inland Lakes beaches annually, throughout Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego Counties.
Those who live on or near the lake, and seasonal tourists who visit and enjoy our beaches, have come to trust that the water is being monitored for their safety. The monitoring program has been successful in protecting public health and supporting the economic benefits of having clean, safe swimming areas.
During the summer months, HDNW sends out public beach advisories if a sample comes back with bacteria higher than what is safe for partial, full body, or no water contact. Updates are also provided when a sample shows the bacteria level has returned to a safe level.
The beach monitoring program is eight weeks long and runs from late June to early September each year.
The beach chart is updated every Friday and includes water quality test results for beaches throughout our four-county region. For the most current beach conditions and daily water quality updates, visit BeachGuard, maintained by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
BeachGuard, An Interactive Map for Beach Advisories
Explore hundreds of beaches across Michigan and get up-to-date water quality results, advisories, and closures using BeachGuard—an interactive map from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Visit www.egle.state.mi.us/beach for more information.