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Swimming advisory at Earle Rowe Provincial Park

August 29, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The final weeks of summer may have you wanting to enjoy the warm weather and enjoy a swim, however, you should be aware of warnings at local beaches.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit performs regular water quality checks on beaches in the region and issues swim advisories when necessary.

It will also close beaches if bacteria levels make the water unsafe for swimming.

Beaches can be unsafe for swimming for several reasons. This includes run-off from recent rain as well as an increased presence of waterfowl.

A beach advisory lets the public know that the water has been tested and there is an increase in bacteria levels in the water.

If you choose to swim during an advisory, you should avoid dunking your head underwater or swallowing the water. During a beach advisory, there is an increased risk of developing infections in the eyes, nose and throat.

If a beach is closed, this means no swimming is allowed. This occurs when there is a significant health risk. This may be due to sewage or a chemical spill.

Currently, Earle Rowe Provincial Park has two swim advisories in place.

Both the east and west day-use beaches at the Park are under a swim advisory as of Aug. 21.

The advisories remained in place as of press time.

If you are planning a trip to other beaches in the area, you should check the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website to see beach advisories in the region. 

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