Majority of Niagara’s beaches safe for swimming
While most beaches in Niagara are safe for swimming, Niagara Region says Lakeside Beach in St. Catharines, Charles Daly East in Lincoln and Nelles Park in Grimsby are posted unsafe for swimming due to high water levels.
It said water at those beaches will not be tested until levels drop.
On its beach water testing page , the Region said beaches are posted unsafe/closed when water tests show unacceptable levels of E. coli bacteria.
Ear, eye, nose, throat and skin infections can occur from swimming in those waters and ingesting any water could cause diarrhea.
The Region said beaches might also be posted unsafe because of floating debris, oil, excessive weed growth, bad odours and general turbidity.
Turbidity occurs when waves kick up sand and other material from the bottom of the lake.
Beaches open in south Niagara include Humberstone, Nickel Sherkston Elco, Sherkston Quarry, Sherkston Wyldewood, Chippawa Conservation, Long Beach, Long Beach Conservation Area east and west, Reebs Bay, Wainfleet Lake Erie Public, Bay Beach, Bernard, Crescent, and Windmill Quarry.
The only beach posted unsafe is Fort Erie’s Waverly.
In the north end, Casablanca, Fifty Point Conservation, Charles Daley Park West, Queen Royal and Sunset are all open.
Nelles and Charles Daley Park East are posted unsafe.
While most of the test results were from this week, the Region said results may not always be accurate as conditions can change quickly due to the weather.
“Test results are intended as general guidance.
“Residents are encouraged to consider the current weather before deciding to enter the water,” the Region says on its website.