Just in time for the 4th of July holiday weekend, 14 Iowa lakes and state parks have been added to the list of places where high levels of fecal bacteria have been detected.
Bacteria counts above state standards can lead to issues for swimmers, including stomach aches, diarrhea and skin infections.
The very young, very old and those with immune deficiencies are particularly vulnerable. State health officials recommend swimmers avoid swallowing lake water and bathe immediately after swimming.
The warnings are up at Backbone, Beed's Lake, Big Creek, Blue Lake, Brushy Creek, Gull Point, Lake Ahquabi, Lake Keomah, Lake of Three Fires, Prairie Rose, Rock Creek, Springbrook, Union Grove and Viking Lake.
