This past year the County of Santa Cruz Environmental Health Services monitored approximately 25 shoreline locations. However, only 13 of these were monitored frequently enough year-round to be included in this report. The beaches monitored in Santa Cruz County range from as far upcoast as Waddell Creek Beach at Waddell Creek near Big Basin Redwood Park to a downcoast location at Palm Beach, near the Pajaro River. Most samples are collected at the wave wash (where runoff meets surf), or 25 yards north or south of the mouth of a stormdrain or creek.

For additional water quality information visit the Santa Cruz County Department of Environmental Health Services website.

Capitola Beach. Copyright © 2002 Kenneth & Gabrielle Adelman. All rights reserved, California Coastal Records Project.

Overall dry weather water quality at all beaches in Santa Cruz County was excellent (Figures 28 and 29). During the summer AB411 months, all of Santa Cruz beaches received A grades except Capitola Beach west of the wharf (D). Year-round dry weather water quality was slightly better with all locations receiving A grades except Capitola Beach west of the wharf earning a C grade.

Wet weather water quality for Santa Cruz County was below the state average. Six of the 13 (46%) locations with wet weather data received an A or a B grade. Monitoring locations at Capitola beaches, Santa Cruz Main Beach, and Rio Del Mar Beach comprised the county’s 7 fair-to-poor grades. However, only Capitola Beach west of the wharf received an F grade for wet weather.

Sewage Spill Summary
There was one reported sewage spill in Santa Cruz County that led to a beach closure. Rio del Mar Beach at the Aptos Creek mouth was closed for 3 days during January 2007 as a result of a sewer line break.

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