One Emmet Beach Advisory Issued, Three Beach Advisories Lifted
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is issuing a partial body beach advisory for Petoskey State Park in Emmet County. The advisory is posted at the beach. HDNW is lifting the beach advisories for Richardi Park in the Village of Bellaire, Antrim County, and Little Traverse Township and Mackinaw Beach 1, both in Emmet County.
Petoskey State Park
A water sample collected Wednesday showed an E. coli level of 397.3 per 100 milliliters (ml). According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) water quality standards, E. coli levels testing between 301 and 1,000 per 100 ml qualify for a partial body contact advisory. Under this advisory, wading, paddling, and fishing are considered safe. The beach is located at 2475 M-119 in Petoskey.
Richardi Park
A water sample collected Wednesday showed an E. coli level of 288.6 per 100 ml, which is below the threshold for a beach advisory. Full use of the water is considered safe. The beach is located at E. Antrim Street in Bellaire.
Little Traverse Township
A water sample collected Wednesday showed an E. coli level of 110.4 per 100 ml, which does not require a beach advisory. The beach is located at U.S. 31 and West Conway Road in Little Traverse Township.
Mackinaw Beach 1
A water sample collected Wednesday showed an E. coli level of 7 per 100 ml, this level is below the advisory limit. The beach is located at E Wilderness Park Drive in Mackinaw City.
The beach will be retested today, Aug. 29. Results will be shared with the public Friday, Aug. 30.
Water sampling is done throughout the summer months to monitor E. coli levels at many public beaches. When a sample comes back that creates an advisory of any type, the water at that beach is sampled again the next day to keep the public updated.
HDNW posts beach monitoring reports weekly on its website at https://nwhealth.org/beach-monitoring-program/. Through an EGLE supported web-based program, the public has real-time access to beach water quality results for beaches all over Michigan. Information can be found at https://www.deq.state.mi.us/beach/.