Planning & Environment staff collect water samples from public beaches throughout the County from Memorial Day through September. To protect public health and to prevent the spread of disease, the samples are analyzed for various water quality parameters, including bacteria levels. Beaches are closed if deemed unsafe to public health.

In addition to public beaches, the Huron River and other rivers and streams running through the County are sampled in order to determine current water quality and to recognize trends over time. Environmental surveys are conducted to evaluate possible pollution sources, safety hazards, depth drop-offs, currents, and hazardous objects.

Public Beaches in Washtenaw County:

Click here for public beach water testing results!

• Pinckney Recreation Area:
• • Bruin Lake Beach, Lyndon Township
  • Half Moon Lake Beach, Dexter Township
  • Silver Lake Beach, Dexter Township
    
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• Waterloo Recreation Area:
• • Sugarloaf Lake Beach, Lyndon Township
    
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• Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation:
• • Independence Lake, Webster Township

Swimming Tip

It is a good idea to avoid swimming in lakes and rivers for 24 hours following a heavy rain. Surface runoff from storm sewer systems can carry high levels of pollution such as residue from vehicle exhaust, fertilizer, pesticides, oil, and waste from urban pets and rural barnyards into the water. Overflowing storm systems can also carry untreated sewage into rivers and lakes.

Swimmer's Itch

Fact Sheet (pdf)

Swimmers' itch is a natural phenomenon that occurs in many water bodies in Michigan. It is a temporary skin irritation caused by an invisible parasite found in lakes and ponds. The skin irritation appears as small itchy welts resembling a rash or mosquito bites.

The welts are caused by a tiny parasitic organism which normally lives in the blood of waterfowl. The parasite's eggs are passed out of the bird and develop into larvae that seek out snails. Once they mature, they enter the water again to seek out birds, but sometimes select a human by mistake. Humans are not suitable hosts for the parasite, so it dies and is dissolved. Our body reacts to the intrusion by treating the organism as a mild allergy and produces histamines that can cause a red itchy welt. These itchy bumps are no more serious than an insect bite and can be treated with anti-itch creams.

Incidences of swimmer's itch are most common in late June and mid-July, especially after heavy winds. Only 30% to 40% of the population is sensitive to swimmer's itch, and very few of those will ever develop welts.

Since swimmer's itch can be reintroduced to the water through goose droppings, please do not feed or attract geese while near lakes or ponds.

Swimmer's itch is:

• Not caused by poor water quality
• Not contagious
• Not dangerous to humans

To reduce the chance of getting swimmer's itch:

• Apply waterproof sunscreen or baby oil to help prevent swimmer's itch organisms from entering the skin.
• Thoroughly and briskly towel-off or showering as soon as you leave the water to help prevent swimmer's itch organisms from entering the skin.
• Change out of your wet bathing suit as soon as possible after exiting the water.
• Keep anti-itch creams handy if your family is prone to allergies or if welts occur.
  

Water Sampling Methods

Water samples from beaches, rivers, and streams are collected from pre-established locations at each site and analyzed by a contracted certified laboratory. Water samples from beaches are collected one foot below the surface in three to six feet of water. Three different locations are tested for each beach. Beach water samples are analyzed for E. coil bacteria. Water samples from rivers and streams are collected from below the surface in the middle of the stream or river. These water samples are typically analyzed for conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), E. coli or fecal coliform (FC), temperature, and turbidity.

If you have questions regarding the status of a Washtenaw County beach, lake, or stream, or would like information on any surface water samplings taken in previous years, please contact Leon Moore at (734) 222-3848.