Province of Manitoba » Water Stewardship » Water Quality : Rivers, Lakes and Wells » Lake Winnipeg » Clean Beaches Program

Each summer, thousands of bathers enjoy the many beautiful beaches on Lake Winnipeg. Located within easy driving distance from Winnipeg, the beaches along the west and east sides of the lake offer something for everyone. Water quality at the beaches on Lake Winnipeg is generally excellent and safe for swimming. Beaches have been posted with signs advising against swimming on only two occasions in the past - once in 1993 and again in 2003.

Escherichia coli or E. coli is a bacteria found in large numbers in all warm-blooded animals including humans, livestock, wildlife, and birds. Escherichia coli itself does not generally cause illness, but when it is present in large numbers, the risk of becoming ill from other organisms is elevated. The most common illnesses contracted by bathers are infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat as well as stomach upsets. Typical symptoms include mild fever, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Extensive studies were undertaken by Manitoba Water Stewardship in 2003 to determine the source of occasionally high E. coli counts and the mechanism of transfer to Lake Winnipeg beaches. Studies have shown that large numbers of E. coli are present in the wet sand of beaches. During some periods of high winds when water levels are rising in the south basin, these bacteria can be washed out of the sand and into the swimming area of the lake. Research has shown that less than 10 percent of the E. coli at Lake Winnipeg beaches is from human sources, with the remaining numbers being from birds and animals. Study results significantly enhance the present understanding of water quality in Lake Winnipeg and are available in an interim report.

Manitoba Water Stewardship, in conjunction with Manitoba Health, has developed the Manitoba Clean Beaches Program to provide valuable information to you and your family on how to protect our beautiful beaches and reduce health risks.

Protect the Beach

The following beach hygiene tips will help keep our beaches clean:

• Please don't feed the shore birds. Gulls can quickly become accustomed to eating and residing on the beach.
• Don't litter or discard food on the beach. Dispose of trash in proper receptacles.
• Clean up after your pets. Pets are not allowed on provincial park beaches and on most beaches in rural municipalities.
• Change diapered children frequently and away from the water's edge.
• Never bury waste in the sand.

Protect Yourself and Other Bathers

The following personal hygiene tips are recommended:

• Wash your hands before handling food. The simple action of washing your hands before touching food will reduce your risk of ingesting harmful organisms that may be on the beach.
• Avoid swallowing lake water when playing or swimming.
• Stay away from the water if you are experiencing digestive or intestinal problems.

The Manitoba Clean Beaches Program includes the following components

• Information brochures on how bathers can protect the beach and themselves.
• Information signage that will be placed at the major beaches in Manitoba.
• Continued focused research to identify animal sources of E. coli contributed to Lake Winnipeg and to develop a model to predict when E. coli counts might be elevated.
• Increased monitoring of Manitoba's beaches and continued reporting of results.