Stratford beach closed until further notice

MIDLAND, Mich. - UPDATE 07/02/2020: The City of Midland Parks and Recreation Department has announced that access to Kiwassee Lake in Stratford Woods Park will be closed until further notice due to high levels of bacteria in the water.

A water sampling test conducted by the Midland County Department of Public Health on July 1 indicated that bacteria levels in Kiwassee Lake exceed Michigan Water Quality Standards for safe full body contact.

For safety reasons, people and animals should avoid all contact with Kiwassee Lake, including swimming, fishing, and wading until further notice. The beach and other areas of Stratford Woods Park remain open for use.

A follow-up test will be conducted at a later date.

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The City of Midland Parks and Recreation Department will briefly close the beach at Kiwassee Lake in Stratford Woods Park on Wednesday evening, July 1 to proactively treat the lake for algal blooms in advance of the July 4 holiday weekend.

For safety reasons, people and animals are encouraged to avoid all water contact (swimming, fishing, etc.) for 24 hours while the treatment runs its course. The beach will reopen in the evening on Thursday, July 2.