Beach closures and what causes them
Here are some reasons why local authorities might close a beach.
It’s mid-way through July, high beach season. But which beaches at New York State Parks have closed this week due to poor water quality?
You can check water quality reports before visiting a swimming beach within a state park to check water monitoring, beach classifications and know what locations are open or closed? The New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation tracks it all and updates the public on its website.
New York has 67 state-owned swimming beaches and all are tested regularly to determine the public’s risk of coming in contact with waterborne diseases. The beaches are tested at least once a week for bacterial levels of impaired water quality, according to state officials.
Since the last report published last week, a Chautauqua County beach has reopened to swimmers, but several other swimming beaches in the Empire State have temporarily closed due to water conditions.
Test results are available roughly 24 hours after samples are taken and results are posted daily at state park offices, online and at the beach.
Which NY beaches are currently closed for swimming?
Wellesley Island State Park in Jefferson County
- Closed due to exceedance – the area was previously on an advisory status and when resampled, water again exceeded the state standard
- Last tested July 11
Verona Beach State Park in Oneida County
- Closed due to E.coli
- Last tested July 12
Whetstone Gulf State Park in Lewis County
- Closed due to E.coli
- Last tested July 12
Harriman State Park on Lake Welch in Rockland and Orange counties
- Closed due to E.coli
- Last tested July 9
Currently, no swimming beaches in NY state parks have advisory status.
What sparks a beach closure in NY state parks?
State officials close beaches within state parks when there is a known or anticipated risk to public health or safety. Whenever this occurs, signs are posted and the public notified 18 to 24 hours after an elevated concentration of bacteria occurs.
The causes of elevated bacteria levels are not always clear. They may be related to land uses in the watershed; stormwater runoff; naturally occurring sand or soil bacteria; or other factors.
Closure decisions are based upon monitoring results in combination with other factors that influence water quality, including water conditions including sewage overflows, cold temperatures, or high waves; environmental conditions, including thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds; and historical data.
What bacteria does NY test for?
Freshwater samples are analyzed for E. coli and ocean samples are tested for enterococcus.
A freshwater sample result equal to or above 235 E.coli colonies/100 ml exceeds the state standard. This applies to all regions of the Empire state except Long Island.
An ocean sample result equal to or above 104 enterococci colonies/100 ml exceeds the state standard. This applies only to the Long Island region.
How does NY classify beach closures after testing?
Beach closures are placed in one of two categories:
- Category 1 beaches: These beaches can remain open with an advisory. Water at the beach will be resampled and if the sample exceeds the state standard a second time, the beach will close.
- Category 2 beaches: The beach is automatically closed until a satisfactory sample is received.
What are the most common reasons for beach closures in NY?
Common reasons for beach closures include:
- Exceedance – Bacterial indicator levels exceed the state standard
- Predicted exceedance: Model – A model based on environmental conditions predicts that water quality is poor
- Predicted exceedance: Rainfall – Because of recent heavy rain, it is predicted that water quality is poor
- High waves – Waves or rough conditions
- Turbidity – Cloudy water that could prevent lifeguards from being able to see swimmers
- No lifeguard – When lifeguards are not available, beaches are closed
- Closed for end of season – Beach closed for the season
- Cold water – Temperatures below 50° F
