One of two beaches at Minneapolis' Lake Harriet is closed this week because of high bacteria levels.

Weekly bacteria testing of the city's beaches showed higher-than-normal levels of E. coli Lake Harriet's southeast beach on Monday, June 11, said Dawn Sommers, spokeswoman for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

"Typically, our beaches do very well," Sommers said. "This beach, for as long as anybody can remember, has never closed for bacteria levels. And a beach on the other side of the lake is well within state levels."

Sommers said bacteria in Minnesota waters is common due to decaying matter and animals.

Beaches are closed as a precaution when bacteria levels hit a certain point to prevent possible illness.

Boating and kayaking on Lake Harriet should not be a problem, Sommers said, and the north beach remains open. The southeast beach should be open by next week, she said.

None of the 12 other beaches the board monitors are closed.

Testing results and other information are posted on the board's website.

Elizabeth Mohr can be reached at 651-228-5162. Follow her at twitter.com/LizMohr.

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Minneapolis: Lake Harriet beach closed because of bacteria