Ramsey County beaches reopen to swimming

Public beaches on Long Lake and Lake Johanna reopened Friday after being closed for more than a day over unhealthy E. coli levels.

Officials on Wednesday said tests showed the lakes in northwest Ramsey County had a spike in bacteria levels that could cause illness in swimmers.

Tests on Thursday "showed significantly lower levels of bacteria," a statement from Ramsey County's Parks & Recreation department said.

The high bacteria levels at the regional park lakes were likely caused by heavy rain on Tuesday, officials said.

Other suburban Twin Cities beaches were not affected.