Beach Water Health

To assess and assure water quality of swimming beaches owned and operated by Fond du Lac County, Wolf Lake Beach is tested regularly for high E.coli levels during the swimming season. 

A beach advisory sign is posted whenever the level of E.coli exceeds 235 CFU/100 mL. The beach advisory sign is removed when the levels of E. coli are below 235 CFU/100mL in two samples, each collected on separate days.

A beach closure sign is posted whenever the amount of E. coli exceeds 1000 CFU/100mL. The beach will be reopened when the levels of E.coli are below 1000 CFU/100mL in two samples, each collected on separate days.

E. coli is a type bacteria that lives in your digestive system, that normally doesn’t cause any illness. But, when E. coli is present in high levels or when different kinds of the bacteria are present, people can get very sick. Symptoms of an E. coli infection are diarrhea, stomach cramps and pain, and nausea or vomiting

Elevated E. coli readings increase swimmers risk of developing an E. coli infection, leading to diarrhea, stomach cramps and pain, and nausea or vomiting. 

Blue-green algae, also known as algal blooms or cyanobacteria, are layers of algae found on the surface of a body of water that can be harmful to you and your pets.  These blooms typically happen during warmer weather periods in the summer and they come in a variety of colors and sizes.  Most often, they are a thick blue-green layer of algae that can produce a foul and swampy smell, and often look like a layer of paint on top of the water.

What should I look for in the water?

Don’t swim in water that has an odd color or odor. Avoid water that looks like:

Blue-green algae can cause:

• Irritation to the eyes, ears, or skin
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Abdominal Pain
• Coughing
• Sore Throat
• Blistering

These algal blooms can also produce poisonous toxins that can cause nerve or liver damage in people and animals. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after swimming, contact your doctor immediately. If your pet is having seizures, vomiting, or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian.

• Avoid swimming in waters with large areas of thick layers of algae that smell.
• Rinse off yourself, and your pets, after swimming at the beach, lakes, rivers, and ponds.
• Avoid drinking or ingesting the water. Bring extra water for pets to drink.

Send an email to DNRHABS@wisconsin.gov to report a bloom. Make sure to include information on what the bloom looks like and where the bloom is located with the name of the body of water, municipality, and county, and it is recommended to send in pictures. You can also contact the Fond du Lac County Health Department at 920-929-3085 if you see any algal blooms.  

• https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/water/bg-algae/index.htm

• https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/lakes/bluegreenalgae

• Cyanobacteria