Swimming

There's an ongoing online conversation happening about the cleanest lake for swimming in Missouri and the conclusion depends on who and what you trust.

When you go swimming in Illinois, you need to understand the dangers in the water. Now, you need to consider the possibility that there are bears swimming in Illinois lakes as a new video share proves.

You need to be as safe before you get in the water as you hopefully are when you're swimming. There are now 25 water areas in Illinois that have been declared too unsafe for swimming due to dangerous bacteria levels.

Summertime is all about getting outside and enjoying the nice weather and swimming is a vital part of that. However, there are now 38 places in Illinois that now have urgent swimming warnings about staying out of the water.

Don't even think about wearing this type of shirt when getting into the a swimming pool.

Don't go in the water. That's the advisory that many Illinois water places currently have with many being issued after recent water tests around the state.

I grew up in the Missouri generation that lived dangerously. We drank directly out of water hoses because we were daredevils. Yes, a little sarcasm here, but it's a real concern with the upcoming 4th of July holiday weekend about the latest status of lakes and beaches in Missouri. The state has the latest bacteria test results available.

A regular weekend ritual in Wisconsin is heading to your favorite water place and for some that also means swimming. You need to know that there's an urgent warning saying no swimming is suddenly allowed at 20 Wisconsin beaches for multiple reasons.

If you were planning on swimming at an Illinois lake this weekend, you might want to check the status first as suddenly there are urgent orders at a half dozen Illinois water places to avoid swimming at all costs.

Some of my best memories growing up in Missouri involved my family going somewhere with great water. That is one thing that Missouri does not lack - great swimming places. Here are 24 amazing options that won't cost you a dime.