BOONE COUNTY, MO. -- The beach at Finger Lakes State Park near Columbia is closed because of high E.coli levels.

The public swimming beach at Boone County’s Finger Lakes State Park joined four other Missouri beaches that will be closed this weekend because the don't meet Missouri Department of Natural Resources standards. 

Fecal matter from the runoff of heavy rains cause higher levels of E. coli. The unwanted bacteria come from a variety of sources.

“There could be a malfunctioning wastewater treatment plant," DNR Spokesperson Judd Slivka said. "There could be a broken septic system. There could also be just a lot of animal waste whether it comes from a farm upstream at a tributary or whether it comes from a lot of geese or pelicans that leave their calling cards around.”

E. coli is found in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but some can cause illness.

Every week, DNR Officials test for E. coli by taking samples from both the left and right sides of the beach at Finger Lakes State Park. The samples are taken on Mondays and results return on Wednesdays. If levels are high near a beach, the is beach closed for one week from a Wednesday to a Wednesday or until the waters levels are safe.

“E. coli is also very variable within a body of water," Slivka said. "You can literally take a sample out from the left side of the boat and get a high sample; on the right side of the boat, you could get a low sample.;

So far this summer, DNR Officials have closed 12 of their 20 Missouri beaches 20 times because of high levels of E. coli. 

The DNR is more cautious this year since they were found not reporting E.coli levels last summer.

Click on the link below to find the latest information on beach closings at Missouri State Parks.