Effective today, the swimming area will widen Bloomington East Beach at Clinton Lake, and alcoholic beverages will not be allowed there.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has extended the No Boating area on the beach’s south end about 75 yards.

The move will widen the buffer between boaters and swimmers and keep the water safer, said David Rhoades, of the corps.

Signs will be installed to show boaters the new mooring area.

Rhoades said the decision to prevent alcoholic beverages was adopted as a measure to prevent drowning.

The corps recommends that swimmers wear life jackets, swim only in designated areas and never swim alone. For more information, call the Corps Visitor Center at 843-7665.