NORTHWEST INDIANA

Beaches safe to swim after Wednesday test

All Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore beaches are open and safe for swimming. The National Lakeshore issued its weekly beach monitoring report Thursday morning.

Results from samples collected Wednesday indicate that bacteria levels at all National Lakeshore swimming waters were within the water quality standard.

Samples were taken Wednesday at beaches from West Beach to Mount Baldy. The results Thursday showed levels of the E. coli bacteria below the level of 235 colonies per 100 milliliters considered unhealthy. High levels of E. coli can indicate the presence of other pathogens that can cause illness.

The highest level found was 25 colonies per 100 milliliters at Porter Beach.

The water temperature was reported at 73 degrees.

Weekly testing will continue through Labor Day. Results will be available each Thursday.

The most up-to-date information will be available online at nwi.com, and also is available on the Indiana Dunes Recreation Line at (219) 926-7561. Press 2.