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Public Beach
Beach Info
Our public beach and parking are free of charge.
Beach Hours
Beach hours are 7am-Dusk. Lakefront Park closes at 10pm. The beach is swim at your own risk, with no lifeguards on duty.
Beach Parking
Additional parking for the beach, Lakefront Park or Laimon Family Lakeside Park can be found at Koepp Park (201 Oakton Avenue).
Water Quality Sign Postings
Important, Please Read
Signs will be placed on metal posts at the north and south end of the beach, as well as a single road barricade in the center of the beach that will signify the current status of the beach water quality.
A GREEN good sign will be posted when E coli counts are less than 235 units per 100 mL of water according to the EPA’s good water quality guideline.
A YELLOW advisory sign will be posted when E coli counts are between 235 and 999 units per 100 mL of water. This means that the E coli levels are elevated, however do not warrant closing the beach per the EPA’s good water quality guidelines.
A RED closed sign will be posted when E coli counts exceed 1,000 units per 100 mL of water. This means that the counts are too high for safe swimming. The water will be retested daily until the counts reach a safe level and the beach can be reopened.
Pewaukee Beach Water Testing Information
Pewaukee Lake
Pewaukee Lake is directly fed from the Pewaukee Pewaukee Lake Watershed. A watershed is an area of land that drains into a river, stream, or lake. The Pewaukee Lake Watershed contains approximately 15,729 acres of total drainage area. The Pewaukee Lake outlet runs into the Pewaukee River.
Why would the beach be closed?
The beach is closed because a water test indicated that there are elevated levels of Escherichia coli, often referred to as E. Coli bacteria in the lake water sample that was tested.
What is E. Coli?
E. Coli are germs called bacteria. Most forms of this bacteria are harmless and are part of a healthy intestinal tract. They help us digest food, produce vitamins and more.
But some E. Coli can make people sick with diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and other illnesses. This is the E. Coli we test for.
Where does E. Coli come from?
E. Coli is in every natural body of water. There are several reasons that cause the levels of this bacteria to rise including storm water runoff, wildlife and pet droppings, poorly operating septic systems, sewage treatment plans, chemicals, manure spills, and direct contamination from waterfowl, livestock, or small children in the water. Rain can often contribute to temporary spikes in E. Coli by bringing fecal matter from the land into the water.
What happens if I swim in a lake with elevated E. Coli?
Swimming in contaminated water usually only results in illness if water is swallowed. But you could also see skin rashes, eye pain, urinary infections, or congestion after swimming in contaminated waters. Stomach and intestinal upset usually show from 2-5 days from exposure.
What should I do if I was exposed?
If you swim in waters with high E. Coli levels, immediately get out of the water and rinse your skin with anti-bacterial soap. Monitor for nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Seek medical attention if you are experiencing severe diarrhea with blood, high fever, signs of dehydration (extreme thirst, little urine, dizziness), severe abdominal pain or if you have a compromised immune system.
What can be done to keep the lake cleaner?
The best way to keep the lake cleaner is to take an active approach in lowering the bacteria that gets in the lake. Some examples include refraining from feeding ducks and geese (their waste is a big reason for elevated levels), clean up after your pet and dispose of waste properly, skip using chemicals on your lawn and garden, or change to environmentally friendly options. For more ideas go to: https://www.cleanlakesalliance.org/e-coli/.
Is it safe to swim in other areas of Pewaukee Lake?
Pewaukee Parks & Recreation ONLY tests the beach swimming area for E. Coli levels. The rest of the lake is not tested by the City or Villages of Pewaukee.
Who owns the lake?
In Wisconsin, lakes and rivers are considered belonging to ‘everyone’ and ‘no one’ at the same time. It is part of a thing called the Public Trust Doctrine. Because of this, there really isn’t an ‘owner’ of these waterways including Pewaukee Lake. The Pewaukee Lake Sanitary District takes on the role of lake monitoring.
Does the Wisconsin DNR (Department of National Resources) monitor Pewaukee Lake?
The DNR does monitor some bodies of water in Wisconsin – specifically coastal beaches for the great lakes (Michigan and Superior) thanks to a Federal Grant called the BEACH ACT.
Pewaukee Lake is not monitored for E-coli by the WI DNR. In fact, because it is not a state park, monitoring is not required but can be tested regularly by local public health offices if they deem necessary. The Pewaukee Parks & Recreation department has chosen to test our beach water to ensure our residents and visitors have a safe and enjoyable visit to the beach.
Where can I find more information about Wisconsin Beaches?