All four Fort Erie beaches open as hot weather continues

Brent Jones
July 6, 2026 at 4:11 AM

All four Fort Erie beaches tested by Niagara Region Public Health are open for swimming this week, offering some relief as hot weather continues across Greater Fort Erie.

As of June 30, Bay Beach, Bernard Avenue Beach, Crescent Beach and Waverly Beach were all listed as open for swimming.

The update comes after Bay Beach was deemed unsafe to swim earlier in June due to high E. coli levels.

Fort Erie Radio reported June 12 that Bay Beach had been posted unsafe after a June 11 water test showed E. coli levels above the provincial threshold.

The local beach update also follows last week’s heat warning, which pushed Fort Erie’s cooling stations, splash pads and beaches into heavier use.

Environment and Climate Change Canada had issued an orange-level heat warning for Niagara Region as a heat dome brought high temperatures and humid conditions to the area.

That warning is no longer in effect for Fort Erie.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, there are currently no weather alerts in effect for Fort Erie, though the forecast still calls for a warm and humid stretch.

The federal weather agency is calling for daytime highs mostly in the mid- to high-20s this week, with the possibility of showers or thunderstorms on some days.

Niagara Region tests more than 19 public beaches for E. coli every year between the Victoria Day and Labour Day weekends.

The region says beach water testing results are intended as general guidance because conditions can change quickly due to swimmers, wind, high waves, birds, recent heavy rainfall and cloudy water.

Beaches are posted unsafe or closed when water tests show unacceptable levels of E. coli.

Swimming in unsafe water can cause ear, eye, nose, throat and skin infections, as well as diarrhea if the water is swallowed, according to the region.