PORTER | All Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore beaches are open and safe for swimming according to the National Park Service's weekly beach monitoring report released Thursday morning.

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

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

The National Lakeshore provides this information for visitors so they may make informed decisions regarding contact with Lake Michigan waters within the federal park. The National Park Service does not close its beaches as a result of water conditions. The beaches will remain open and available for public use, and the public is advised to take precautions for their own safety based on water quality, weather conditions and other relevant information.

West Beach is the only National Lakeshore beach access where lifeguards are provided. For information on rip current warnings, visit the National Weather Service's Web site at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/hazards/lot.

The water temperature was reported at 59 degrees.

For information about the Indiana Dunes State Park, call (219) 926-1952.