Sixteen beaches are not recommended for swimming, the same number as the week of July 31, albeit with some beaches swapped around. That's still the highest number of beaches with dangerous amounts of E. coli since the 2026 season started. The Iowa DNR provides weekly updates on which state beaches are experiencing high levels of E. coli or algae that can be dangerous to swimmers. Staff collect weekly samples at 41 state-owned swimming beaches to determine the public's risk of coming in contact with waterborne diseases. Testing starts a week before Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day. Tap the link in our bio for more on this story. #DesMoines #Iowa #IowaOutdoors #Lakes #WaterQuality