A couple of state beaches still have problems with high levels of bacteria. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says a swimming advisory remains in place at the Lake Geode beach in Henry County — while the beach at Backbone State Park in Delaware County is still closed. The Lake Geode beach had a high reading and the D-N-R says it will stay high for at least two weeks. The D-N-R will conduct additional testing in the Lake Geode watershed next week to see it potential bacteria sources can be identified. The beach at Backbone remains closed while the D-N-R continues to investigate the wastewater treatment plant at Strawberry Point for alleged violations of its discharge permit, and whether those discharges have impacted the water. Bacteria levels at Iowa’s 31 other state park beaches tested within acceptable levels.
