Beach Conditions
Natural bodies of water are great places to play, swim and cool off on a hot sunny day.
However, swimming in these areas is not risk-free. There is always a level of risk when swimming in a natural water body, whether it's on the shores of Lake Erie, jumping off a dock at a cottage or going to a GRCA beach.
Natural water bodies, such as rivers and reservoirs, are exposed to contamination from various sources. The conditions and quality of the water can change quickly due to a number of environmental factors. These factors can influence the level of bacteria in the water to the point where it increases the risk of getting sick.
Environmental factors that can cause an increase in bacteria levels
- Recent heavy rainfall (1 to 2 inches or 25 to 50 mm within 24 to 48 hours) has a significant impact on water quality. Run off from the rain washes bacteria from the shore, fields and streets into streams, rivers and lakes.
- Cloudy water (unable to see feet in waist-deep water) means the sand and silt has been stirred up. This can increase the levels of bacteria in the water.
- High wind can cause waves, and wave action can stir up the sand and silt, which can increase the levels of bacteria in the water.
- Large numbers of birds or other wildlife and their droppings can have a significant impact on water quality. Dead fish, algae/scum, or debris in the water can also increase the risk of illness or injury.
How you can prevent illness when swimming in a natural water body
- Never swallow the beach water, at any time, no matter how clear!
- After swimming or playing in the water or sand, wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer, and always before eating, especially for children. Bacteria levels tend to be higher in the warm wet sand on the shore.
- Parasites that can cause illness and skin irritation live in natural water bodies. Make sure you shower or towel dry after you exit the water.
Local Public Health Unit Contact Information
For health related questions, please contact:
- For Guelph Lake, Rockwood, Elora Quarry, Belwood Lake and Conestogo Lake, contact the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit at 1-800-265-7293.
- For Shades Mills and Laurel Creek, contact the Region of Waterloo Public Health at 519-575-4400.
- For Pinehurst Lake, contact the County of Brant Health Unit at 519-753-4937.
Help keep our beaches clean
There are a number of ways you can help keep our beaches clean and improve water quality conditions in our swimming areas. These include:
- Don't feed wildlife or birds.
- Don't use soaps, shampoos, or other bathing products in the water.
- Use appropriate washroom facilities.
- Place all garbage in designated bins, or take it with you.
Rainfall Data
Rainfall can cause fecal material from wildlife or pets to runoff into streams and reservoirs. It can also stir up the water creating cloudy conditions. When there is a significant rainfall (1 to 2 inches or 25 to 50 mm within 24 to 48 hours), it is advised to refrain from swimming for 24 to 48 hours, until clear conditions occur again. The table below will help you understand how much rain has fallen in the past 7 days near GRCA beaches.
| Park | Rain Gauge Location | 1- day Total (mm) | 2- day Total (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belwood Lake | Shand Dam | - | - |
| Conestogo Lake | Conestogo Dam | - | - |
| Elora Quarry | Shand Dam | - | - |
| Guelph Lake - main beach & pit | Guelph Dam | - | - |
| Laurel Creek | Laurel Creek | - | - |
| Pinehurst Lake | Paris | - | - |
| Rockwood | Guelph Dam | - | - |
| Shade's Mills | Cambridge | - | - |
(-) Not Available. Totals are not shown when any hourly values are missing within the interval.
Water Quality Monitoring
We conduct water quality sampling for bacterial (E.coli) counts every other week during the warmer months, typically beginning in June, and through July and August. The sampling is conducted at nine conservation area beaches in eight Grand River Conservation Areas throughout the watershed.
After laboratory analysis, the table below is updated to show the most recent sampling data available. While this data is not useful in identifying public health risk when swimming in natural water bodies, it is used to determine long-term trends in the water quality at our swimming areas over time.
| Park | Date Water Sample Collected | E. Coli Counts (Geometric Mean) |
|---|---|---|
| Belwood Lake | NA | NA |
| Conestogo Lake | NA | NA |
| Elora Quarry | NA | NA |
| Guelph Lake - main beach | NA | NA |
| Guelph Lake - pit | NA | NA |
| Laurel Creek | NA | NA |
| Pinehurst Lake | NA | NA |
| Rockwood | NA | NA |
| Shade's Mills | NA | NA |
(NA) Not Available.
Beach Closures
A beach closure (rarely issued) would prohibit swimming due to various reasons, for example, a chemical or sewage spill.