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Southern
California Beaches
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| Avalon
Harbor exhibits the type of barriers that impede
water circulation at many enclosed beaches Photo:
Heal the Bay |
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Once again, Heal the Bay analyzed the Southern California data (Santa Barbara to San Diego County) to determine differences in water quality based on beach type. Most southern California beaches were divided into three categories: open ocean beaches; beaches adjacent to a creek, river, or storm drain (natural or concrete); and beaches located within enclosed waterbodies. The grades were analyzed for three different time periods: dry weather summer months (from April through October, the AB411 time period), dry weather year-round, and wet weather year-round. Figure 42 illustrates the grades by percent during AB411 (April through October).
For the fifth year in a row this comparison demonstrates that water quality during dry weather at open ocean beaches is far superior to water quality at enclosed beaches. Approximately 35% of the enclosed beaches received fair-to-poor water quality grades during dry weather as opposed to 20% at storm drain impacted beaches and 9% at open ocean beaches (Figure B). Although enclosed beaches appear safe and inviting to children, parents should research water quality conditions carefully before allowing their children to swim at these beaches.
Figure C shows grade percentages for wet weather conditions by beach type. The disparity in water quality between beach type is still seen during wet weather. All beaches this year had very poor water quality during wet weather. However, only a little more than
half of the open ocean locations failed in wet weather compared to 100% of the enclosed beach
locations.
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