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Beaches

HomeHealth TopicsBeach, Lake and Pool WaterBeaches
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Sampling Public Beach Water

Each year, we take samples of local beaches from June until the end of August to make sure the water is safe for people to swim in. Most beaches are sampled monthly, and few (beaches with a history of adverse sample results) are sampled weekly. 

Samples go to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory in Sudbury to be tested for Escherichia coli (commonly known as E. coli), a sign that the water has been contaminated with fecal matter. It takes about 24 hours for us to receive and analyze the water quality results from the lab.

See below to learn about the status of your local public beach.

When is a Beach “Posted”?

If the level of E. coli in a sample set is more than 200 E. coli cfu/100mL, the beach will be re-sampled within 24 hours. 

If the level of E. coli in the re-sample set is more than 200 E. coli cfu/100mL, the water is considered unsafe for recreational use, including swimming.  

When a beach is unsafe, the “Unsafe for Swimming” sign (see below) will be posted to let beach visitors know about the high bacterial counts and potential threat to human health.

The sign is taken down when re-samples show levels of E. coli have returned to acceptable levels.

Warning Unsafe For Swimming sign

Between sampling periods, the beach water may have unsafe levels of bacteria due to:

  • Heavy rainfall (the Rainfall Warning sign, below, is posted at all public beaches)
  • Large numbers of waterfowl
  • High winds or wave activity
  • Large numbers of swimmers

Notice This wate may contain high levels of bacteria sign

When is a Beach “Closed”?

A beach is “closed” when a significant risk to human health and safety has been identified, such as signs of something in the water that could cause a hazard or infection.

Swimming in the water is NOT allowed when a beach is closed, and there will be little or no public access to the beach. A ‘Do Not Swim’ sign (see below) will be posted at the beach.

The beach is re-opened when there is no longer a risk to human health and safety.

Warning sign that reads, "DO NOT SWIM. The water at this location is not safe for swimming." Image to indicate that swimming is not allowed.

Beach Status

There were 29 public beaches tested for E.coli in the Health Unit district. Water samples were taken regularly by Health Unit staff during the summer. The beach water quality testing has ended for the season, should you have any questions, please call us at 705-474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808.

Beach LocationLast TestedMonitoringStatus

Ahmic Harbour Beach

Hwy 124, on Ahmic St,

Magnetawan

September 4

Routine monitoring

 Open

Bell Lake Beach

18 Bell Lake Rd,
McDougall

September 3

Routine monitoring

Open

Big Moose Beach

60 Big Moose Rd,
Corbeil

August 6

Routine monitoring

Open

Birchaven Cove

465 Lakeside Dr,
North Bay

August 13
Tested Weekly

Routine monitoring

Open

Callander Bay Beach

833 Main St S,
Callander

August 8 

Routine monitoring

Open

Callander Centennial Park Beach

Main St N,
Callander

August 8 

Routine monitoring

Open

Champlain Park Beach

1202 Premier Rd,
North Bay

August 6

Routine monitoring

Open

Community Centre Beach/Armstrong Lake Beach

701 Hwy 124,
McKellar

June 27 

Routine monitoring

Open

Doe Lake Beach

Off Birch Crt,
McMurrich/Monteith

September 3

Routine monitoring

 Open

Doe Lake Municipal Park Beach

1014 Ferguson Rd,
Armour

September 3

Routine monitoring

 Open

Dunchurch Beach

Across 21 Church St,
Whitestone

 September 4

Routine monitoring

Open

Eagle Lake Narrows Beach

2370 Eagle Lake Rd,

South River

September 4

Routine monitoring

Open

Elks Lodge Park Beach

1200 Hwy 17 E,
North Bay

August 6

Routine monitoring

 Open

Eva Wardlaw Park Beach

458 Lakeshore Dr,
North Bay

August 6

Routine monitoring

Open

Fitzgerald Beach

2 West Carling Bay Rd,
Carling

September 4

Routine monitoring

 Open

Foley Matheson Park & Beach

125 Rankin Lake Rd,
Seguin

September 3

Routine monitoring

Open

Lions Park Beach

91 Main St,

Sundridge

September 3 

Routine monitoring

 Open

Maple Key Park & Beach

14 Maple Key Park Rd,
Seguin

September 3

Routine monitoring

Open

Mattawa Beach

Between 4/5 St,
Mattawa

August 6

Routine monitoring

Open

McManus Beach

Lakeview Dr Rd,
Kearney

September 4

Routine monitoring

Open

Nobel Beach Park

66 Big Sound,
McDougall

September 4

Routine monitoring

 Open

Olmsted Beach

60 Lakeside Dr,
North Bay

August 13
Tested Weekly

Routine monitoring

Open

Perry Clear Lake Beach

188 Churchill Gardens Rd,
Perry

July 29

Routine monitoring

Open

Rosseau Waterfront Beach

5 Humphrey Dr,

Seguin

September 3

Routine monitoring

 Open

Shabogesic Beach

117 Memorial Dr,
North Bay

August 13 
Tested Weekly

Routine monitoring

 Open

South Lake Bernard Beach

Next to 722 South Lake Bernard Rd,
Strong

September 3

Routine monitoring

 Open

Sturgeon Falls Beach

End of Main St W,
Sturgeon Falls

August 13

Routine monitoring

Open

Sunset Park Beach

50 Sunset Blvd,
North Bay

August 6

Routine monitoring

Open

Waubuno Beach

End of Prospect St,
Parry Sound

September 4 

Routine monitoring

Open

Open = E. coli bacteria levels are within acceptable range at the time of sampling.
Posted = E. coli bacteria levels are high. It is not safe to swim in the water.
Closed = A health hazard exists and you are not allowed to use access to the beach area.

Not Tested = For various reasons, such as a harmful algae bloom is present, high water levels and/or debris are in the area. 

For more information, please contact our Environmental Health Program at 1-800-563-2808, extension 5400 or by email at environmental.health@healthunit.ca.

Adapted with permission from Peterborough Public Health.

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