The Beach Report for July 19 to 25, 2019

Water quality testing results for beaches in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Northumberland

A view of Victoria Beach on Lake Ontario in Cobourg. (Photo courtesy of Linda McIlwain)
A view of Victoria Beach on Lake Ontario in Cobourg. (Photo courtesy of Linda McIlwain)

Every Friday during swimming season, we post The Beach Report™, our weekly report of the results of water quality testing at beaches in the Kawarthas, and update it throughout the week as conditions change.

As of July 25, 2019, the following beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming:

  • Bewdley Beach – Northumberland County
  • Harwood Beach – Northumberland County

Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County.

In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.

During the summer, local health units sample water at area beaches and test for bacteria such as E. coli to determine if the water quality at a beach is safe for public use. Popular beaches, like the beach at Roger's Cove in Peterborough's East City, are tested every business day while most other beaches are tested weekly. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
During the summer, local health units sample water at area beaches and test for bacteria such as E. coli to determine if the water quality at a beach is safe for public use. Popular beaches, like the beach at Roger’s Cove in Peterborough’s East City, are tested every business day while most other beaches are tested weekly. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)

Important note

The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.

You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.

While we strive to update this story with the current conditions, you should confirm the most recent test results by visiting the local health unit websites at Peterborough Public Health and Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. As noted above, the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead are tested every business day so the results listed below may not be current.

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Peterborough City/County

City of Peterborough Beaches (sampled each business day)

Roger’s Cove (131 Maria St, Peterborough) – sample date July 24 -SAFE

Beavermeade (2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough) – sample date July 24 – SAFE

Peterborough County Beaches (sampled weekly)

Back Dam Beach (902 Rock Rd., Warsaw, Township of Douro-Dummer) – sample date July 22 – SAFE

Buckhorn (John Street, Buckhorn) – sample date July 23 – SAFE

Crowe’s Line Beach (240 Crowe’s Line Rd, Harvey) – sample date July 23 – SAFE

Curve Lake Lance Woods Park (Chemong St S, Curve Lake) – sample date July 23 – SAFE

Curve Lake Henry’s Gumming (Whetung St E, Curve Lake) – sample date July 23 – SAFE

Douro (205 Douro Second Line, Douro-Dummer) – sample date July 22 – SAFE

Ennismore (1053 Ennis Road, Ennismore) – sample date July 22 – SAFE

Hiawatha (1 Lakeshore Rd, Hiawatha) – sample date July 24 – SAFE

Jones Beach (908 Jones Beach Road, Bridgenorth) – sample date July 22 – SAFE

Lakefield Park (100 Hague Boulevard, Lakefield) – sample date July 22 – SAFE

Norwood (12 Belmont St, Norwood) – sample date July 22 – SAFE

Sandy Lake (1239 Lakehurst Road, Municipality of Trent Lakes) – sample date July 24 – SAFE

Selwyn (2251 Birch Island Road, Selwyn) – sample date July 22 – SAFE

Squirrel Creek Conservation Area (2445 Wallace Point Rd, South Monaghan) – sample date July 23 – SAFE

Warsaw Caves (289 Caves Rd, Warsaw) – sample date July 22 – SAFE

Peterborough County Beaches (sampled monthly)

Belmont Lake (376 Miles of Memories Road, Belmont) – sample date July 11 – SAFE

Chandos Beach (Hwy 620, North Kawartha) – sample date July 11 – SAFE

Kasshabog Lake (431 Peninsula Road, Methune) – sample date July 11 – SAFE

Quarry Bay (1986 Northey’s Bay Rd, Woodview) – sample date July 11 – SAFE

White’s Beach (Clearview Drive, Galway) – sample date July 4 – SAFE

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City of Kawartha Lakes

Bexley Township Area

Blanchard’s Road Beach – OPEN

Bobcaygeon Area

Beach Park – OPEN

Riverview Beach Park – OPEN

Eldon Township Area

Centennial Park West – OPEN

Emily/Omemee Area

Omemee Beach – OPEN

Fenelon Falls Area

Birch Point – OPEN

Bond Street – OPEN

Sturgeon Point Beach – OPEN

Laxton Township Area

Head Lake – OPEN

Norland Bathing Area – OPEN

Mariposa Township Area

Valentia Beach (aka Sandbar Beach) – OPEN

Somerville Township Area

Burnt River Beach – Somerville – OPEN

Burnt River Four Mile Lake – OPEN

Verulam Township Area

Centennial Beach – OPEN

Verulam Recreational Park – OPEN

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Haliburton County

Algonquin Highlands Area

Dorset Parkette – OPEN

Elvin Johnson Park (aka Stanhope Beach) – OPEN

Dysart et al Area

Eagle Lake Beach – OPEN

Haliburton Lake South Bay – OPEN

Sand Point (aka Indian Point) – OPEN

Pine Lake Beach – OPEN

Sandy Cove Beach – OPEN

Silver Lake (aka Kashawigamog Lake) – OPEN

Highlands East Area

Gooderham Beach – OPEN

Paudash Lake Beach – OPEN

Lake Wilbermere Beach – OPEN

Glamour Lake Beach – OPEN

Minden Hills Area

Bissett Beach – OPEN

Forsters Beach – OPEN

Little Horseshoe Lake Beach – OPEN

Minden Rotary Lagoon Beach – OPEN

Minden Rotary Main Beach – OPEN

Twelve Mile Lake Beach – OPEN

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Northumberland County

Brighton Area

Cedardale – OPEN

Little Lake – OPEN

Campbellford Area

Crowe Bay Fun Park – OPEN

Hastings North – OPEN

Hastings South – OPEN

Seymour Conservation Area – OPEN

Port Hope/Cobourg Area

Bewdley Beach – POSTED

Harwood Beach – POSTED

Port Hope Beach East – OPEN

Port Hope Beach West – OPEN

Sandy Bay Park – OPEN

Victoria Beach (Cobourg) – OPEN

Wicklow Beach – OPEN