If you and your family plan to cool off this holiday weekend by taking a dip in Lake Erie, there are ten beaches you might want to avoid.

The Ohio Department of Health has issued Bacteria Contamination Advisories for Lakeshore Park and Geneva State Park in Ashtabula County.

A Bacteria Contamination Advisory is posted when the level of E. coli bacteria in the water has reached unsafe levels and could make you sick. Children, the elderly, and those with ill health or weakened immune systems are advised not to swim

E. coli are bacteria found in many places like the intestines of people and animals.

Other Lake Erie beaches with current Bacteria Contamination Advisories include:

CUYAHOGA COUNTY

Bay Park Beach, Clifton Beach, Columbia Park Beach.

ERIE COUNTY

Darby Creek, Cranberry Creek, Pickerel Creek, Bay View West

OTTAWA COUNTY

Kelleys Island State Park

The Department of Health sometimes issues a Recreational Public Health Advisory when algal toxins have been found at unsafe levels.  ODH recommends avoidance of all contact with the water including swimming and wading. Pets should be kept out of the water.

There are no current Recreational Public Health Advisories at any Lake Erie beaches in Ohio.

Advisories remain posted until a follow-up water sample result shows bacteria below the recreational standard.