31st Annual Two Mile Manitou Monster Lake Swim

2026 Event is in the books. 

50 swimmers successfully navigated the 2ish mile course.   Watch this space for results. 

Enjoy photos and comments here.  Feel free to add your own.               https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591507727028 

Race Location: Start and finish at Morris-Erickson County Campground Beach  
28561 WI-40, New Auburn, WI 54757

Parking is limited. Consider carpooling.

Race Day Schedule:

Sunday, July 12, 2026
8AM:  Check in opens at 8 AM and closes at 8:40 AM
Pick up race packet, cap, and get your body marked

Warm up available from 8:20 - 8:40 AM

8:40 AM:   Mandatory Safety Meeting 

Race Start:  9 AM

Race Course Closes:  11 AM

In the event of inclement conditions, race may be delayed for up to one hour. If event has not started by this time, it will be cancelled. 

USMS Members will receive a $20 discount during the check out process. 

Long Lake (or as it is locally known, Lower Long Lake) is located in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, lying north and east of the city of Bloomer. This area is known as the Chippewa Moraine and was formed by the last Wisconsin glacier. Upon receding, the glacier deposited till to form a terminal moraine through the northern half of the county, consisting of many hills, bogs, swamps, and irregularly-shaped lakes.

Lower Long Lake and the adjoining Herde Lake are the largest local body of water, containing 1,089 acres; depths of up to 101 ft.; and most beautiful with tracts of carefully preserved wooded or wetland natural areas and restored shorelines fronting cottages and homes.  

This lake has been used as the route for 29 previous open water swims held every July prior to COVID.

Camping at the park is available:  https://reservations.chippewacountywi.gov/parks/camping/morriserickson_campground/  
Note: there is a 3 night minimum.   Basic sites are $20/night with optional electricity for $7/night.

We are planning to hold the awards ceremony at Max's (a short walk/drive south of the County Park Beach) shortly after 11AM.  Plan to join in the festivities.  Max's will provide a buffet lunch for an additional charge ($18) for each person (swimmer and fans) to be paid at checkout. 

Safe Swimmer Buoys are required to participate. 

Wetsuits and neoprene caps are allowed if water temperature is below 78 degrees,  Awards will be all-inclusive by age group, without separate wetsuit vs non-wetsuit category.   (Flippers, webbed gloves, snorkels, pull buoys are not allowed under any circumstance.)  Refer to Page 2 of the published Open Water Safety Plan to read the specifics of water temperature guidelines. 

Beach Report: 
Morris-Erickson County Park Beach 

Sample date:  July 12  Noon
E coli Procedure
CPRG-MUG (SM 9223B,ColilertTM)
E coli Value 146.7 MPN/100 ml SAFE/OPEN
Water temp 81.2

Sample date:  July 8 
E coli Procedure
CPRG-MUG (SM 9223B,ColilertTM)
E coli Value 13.1 MPN/100 ml SAFE/OPEN
Water temp not reported

Sample date: July 7  
E coli Procedure
CPRG-MUG (SM 9223B,ColilertTM)
E coli Value 6.3 MPN/100 ml SAFE/OPEN
Water temp 73.4

Recreational Water (Lakes, Beaches, and Rivers) 
Guidelines for safe swimming are usually based on a geometric mean of multiple samples over a period (e.g., 30 to 60 days) or specific single-sample thresholds set by the EPA.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (.gov) +1
 
Safe / Low: Generally ≤ 126 CFU per 100 mL (average) or ≤ 235 CFU per 100 mL for a single sample.
Caution / High Caution: 235 to 1,000 CFU per 100 mL. Water in this range begins to present an elevated risk of gastrointestinal illness.
Unsafe / Critical: >1,000 CFU per 100 mL. Beaches are typically closed or advisory warnings are issued at this level.  
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency