Beach Report Card
2022-2023
We would like to acknowledge that Heal the Bay is located on the traditional lands of the Tongva and Chumash People and pay our respects to elders past, present, and emerging.
Heal the Bay is an environmental non-profit dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds of Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy and clean. To fulfill our mission, we use science, education, community action, and advocacy.
The Beach Report Card program is funded by grants from:
©2023 Heal the Bay. All Rights Reserved. The fishbones logo is a trademark of Heal the Bay.
The Beach Report Card is a service mark of Heal the Bay.
We at Heal the Bay believe the public has the right to know the water quality at their beaches. We are proud to provide West Coast residents and visitors with this information in an easy-to-understand format. We hope beachgoers will use this information to make the decisions necessary to protect their health.
Beach Report Card
2022-2023
Cover: Newport Beach / Orange County / photo: Art Wager Cover: Cowell Ranch Beach / Santa Cruz County / photo: Michael Vi 3 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
CONTENTS
HEAL THE BAY
2022-2023
• I: WELCOME
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................... 5 INTRODUCTION................................................................................... 8 BEACH REPORT CARD BASICS...................................................... 9 • II: WEST COAST SUMMARY
CALIFORNIA OVERVIEW...................................................................11 IMPACT OF BEACH TYPE.................................................................14 HONOR ROLL ......................................................................................17 BEACH BUMMERS..............................................................................18 CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUMMARIES............................................21 OREGON COUNTY SUMMARIES.................................................32 WASHINGTON COUNTY SUMMARIES.......................................35 TIJUANA, MEXICO SUMMARY......................................................39 • III: BEACH NEWS
EFFORTS TO WEAKEN WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES .......41
KEEPING OUR OCEAN SAFE AND CLEAN...............................42 FUNDING SHORELINE MONITORING PROGRAMS ...............42 NOWCAST UPDATE..........................................................................43 JUSTICE 40 INITIATIVE....................................................................43
THE BEACH REPORT CARD AND
ACCESS TO WATER RECREATION..............................................43 • IV: APPENDICES
A // BEACH BUMMER HISTORY....................................................46 B // ALL GRADES BY COUNTY .....................................................48 C // FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.....................................66 D // METHODOLOGY .......................................................................68 E // AKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................................70 4 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
WELCOME
Manhattan Beach Pier / Los Angeles County
5 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Moonlight State Beach / San Diego County
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I WELCOME
Heal the Bay is proud to release the 33rd annual Beach Report Card. This report examines amounts of fecal pollution measured at ocean beaches along the West Coast. The main goal of the Beach Report Card is to keep people safe when they go to the beach. We accomplish this by turning water quality data into easy-tounderstand grades. 2022 Summer Dry Grades were excellent across the State with 95% of California beaches receiving A and B grades, which is on par with the average. Winter Dry Grades were below average with 83% of the beaches receiving A and B grades. Wet Weather Grades for the past year were also below average with 56% of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
Coastal counties in California received 50% more
rainfall than the 10 year average during the winter
months. California experienced 19 large storm events
(called atmospheric rivers) from October 2022 to March
2023, which is far higher than the six the state typically gets.1
The seemingly continuous deluge came at a
time when most coastal counties were experiencing
moderate or extreme drought so it was a welcomed
temporary relief from those conditions. However, the
extreme amounts of precipitation caused landslides,
floods, power outages, blizzards, and other hazardous
conditions for millions of Californians. The rainfall also had multiple negative impacts on water quality. Rain
washes pollutants, including bacteria, into the ocean,
resulting in an overall decline in Wet Weather Grades.
1 https://water.ca.gov/News/Blog/2020/October/Atmospheric-Rivers-and-Their-Impacton-California-Reservoirs The decrease in wet weather water quality meant
that only two beaches qualified for the Honor Roll
this year, which is the shortest Honor Roll we’ve ever
seen (compared to 50 Honor Roll beaches last year).
Additionally, an alarming 45 million gallons of sewage
were spilled into the ocean and coastal waterways, in
part due to the increased rainfall. Sewage lines are
commonly flooded with rainwater causing them to
overflow. We urge local officials to invest significantly in sewage infrastructure updates and public notification
protocols to ensure the safety of all beach visitors.
This year’s Beach Bummers are:
• Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles County)
Tied for number one is Santa Monica Pier, which
unfortunately returns to the Beach Bummer list for a
second consecutive year. Being a perpetual Beach
Bummer was the norm for the pier until 2018 when
6 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I WELCOME EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
the city of Santa Monica installed a stormwater
capture system next to the pier.2 Unfortunately, it
appears that Santa Monica Pier’s water quality
woes go beyond polluted runoff. The city is in the
process of replacing the bird deterrent netting
underneath the pier because bird feces is
suspected to be the main culprit for the poor water
quality. The City of Santa Monica is also installing a
trash removal device in the large storm drain south
of the pier at Pico Boulevard, which could help
reduce bacteria levels around the pier.3
The City
recently completed a large stormwater capture
project that will keep polluted water from entering
the ocean and increase local water resilience.4
• Playa Blanca (Baja California, Mexico) Tied
for number one is Playa Blanca located south of the
City of Tijuana, and remaining as our number one
Beach Bummer from last year. This beach and
others in the area are impacted by sewagecontaminated runoff from the Tijuana area, which has insufficient and, in some places, nonexistent
sewage infrastructure. This beach may also receive
influxes of sewage contamination from the Punta
Bandera treatment plant outfall, north of the beach.
This treatment plant discharges millions of gallons
of lightly treated wastewater into the ocean.
However, some research has found that ocean
currents predominantly carry this contamination
northward so additional pollution sources for this
beach may need to be identified.
• San Mateo County San Mateo County is home
to five of this year’s Beach Bummers: Erckenbrack
Park, Marlin Park, Gull Park, Linda Mar Beach, and
Pillar Point Harbor. Four of the beaches are
2 https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/santa-monica-draws-line-in-the-sand-on-waterinfrastructure-innovation 3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35635882/
4 https://www.santamonica.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure-project-swip categorized as enclosed beaches that do not
receive sufficient water circulation. Linda Mar Beach
is impacted by pollution from San Pedro Creek. This
marks the fifth consecutive report where San Mateo
County has multiple Beach Bummers. The one bright
spot for San Mateo County this year is that it has one
of only two Honor Roll beaches across the entire
state. Bean Hollow State Beach did not experience a
single bacterial exceedance this past year.
• Tijuana River Mouth (San Diego County) The
Tijuana River discharges tens of millions of gallons of sewage into the ocean every year. This issue
originates within the City of Tijuana, which has
impaired and insufficient sewage infrastructure. Also,
recent research has shown that partially-treated
sewage discharges from the Punta Bandera
treatment plant, located south of the city, flow north
from the Tijuana area and impact beaches in the
border region.5 The USEPA is in the process of
funding infrastructure improvements in Tijuana and
the Punta Bandera treatment plant, which will be a
big first step towards addressing water quality in the
area.
• Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach (Los Angeles
County) Regrettably, the name Mother’s Beach is
now synonymous with the term Beach Bummer. The
characteristics that make this beach a great
destination for families also make it prone to
bacteria pollution. This beach is enclosed within
Marina del Rey so there is little wave action and
water circulation. Similar to the San Mateo Beach
Bummers, pollution does not get flushed away from
the shore as it does at beaches on the open ocean.
In 2022, L.A. County Department of Beaches and
Harbors conducted a study that concluded that most
fecal pollution at the beach comes from birds. The
5 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.674214/full 7 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Department of Beaches and Harbors is currently
planning to install bird deterrents around the beach.
Mother’s Beach was closed for a few days this past
January due to a 64,000 gallon sewage spill, which
was another unfortunate setback for Mother’s
Beach visitors.
• Poche Beach (Orange County) Representing
Orange County on this year’s Beach Bummer list is
Poche Beach, which is a periodic Bummer. Poche
Beach receives polluted runoff from a storm drain
that flows directly onto the beach. Equipment
designed to clean runoff from the storm drain was
running at partial capacity in summer 2022, which
was likely the cause. However, it may be time for
Orange County to reassess its water quality
improvement strategy for this beach since it is no
stranger to the Beach Bummer list.
No Oregon beaches were monitored frequently
enough to receive a Summer Dry Grade, and no
beaches were monitored during the winter months.
Only six counties received Wet Weather grades, and
only 61% of the beaches received A and B grades,
which is lower than the state’s historical average of
73%. This is the second straight year we have not been
able to issue Summer Dry grades, which is a major
disappointment.
Washington Summer Dry Grades were excellent with
98% of the beaches receiving A and B grades, which is
far above the average of 93%. Wet Weather Grades
were equally outstanding and above average with 97%
of beaches receiving A and B grades. Unfortunately,
most Washington beaches were not monitored during
the winter months so we could not calculate Winter
Dry Grades.
Tijuana beaches El Vigia and El Faro received C grades
while Playa Blanca (the number one Beach Bummer)
received an F for Summer Dry Grades. The three
Tijuana beaches received straight F’s for all other
I WELCOME EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
grades, with the exception of El Faro, which received a lowly D for a Winter Dry grade.
The good news about water quality at our beaches is
that we know how to reduce the most common inputs of
fecal pollution. A watershed-wide nature-based
approach is our best bet for keeping our waters clean
and safe in addition to sewage infrastructure upgrades.
Green infrastructure spaced throughout our
communities will provide cleaner water; green space for communities to enjoy; and habitat for wildlife. Los
Angeles County has created a model program for
improving coastal and inland water quality. Los Angeles County’s Safe, Clean Water Program aims to increase
local water supply, improve water quality, and protect
public health by focusing efforts on multi-benefit
projects in communities that have been identified as
severely disadvantag ed with regards to access to
green space and other socioeconomic factors. The Los
Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved $1
billion in stormwater investments for 144 projects under the Safe, Clean Water Program to date.
Alarmingly, we have observed an increase in the number
of attempts to loosen or rollback fecal pollution
regulations in California. When waterways become
polluted with contaminants such as bacteria and viruses (as measured through fecal indicator bacteria or FIB),
the USEPA holds the surrounding municipalities
responsible for that pollution and requires them to keep pollution out of those waterways or face penalties.
Unfortunately, we have seen the entities responsible for pollution in our waterways try to weaken the standards
they are held to in order to achieve compliance more
readily. Heal the Bay is adamantly against the efforts to circumvent California’s water quality objectives, and we urge the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
to firmly reassert that local governments and other
pollution dischargers are responsible for keeping all
fecal matter originating from human activities out of the ocean and surrounding waterways.
8 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
INTRODUCTION
I WELCOME
Life in coastal areas of the West Coast is tied to the beach. Beaches serve as vital spaces where people can relax, have fun, and connect with each other. We are fortunate to have beaches that are beautiful and clean most days of the year, but unfortunately, there are times and conditions when the water at the beach can make folks sick. Our coastal waters can be contaminated with pollutants such as chemicals, trash, and fecal matter, which are harmful to human health and the ocean ecosystem.
To help keep the beach-going public safe, Heal the Bay
created The Beach Report Card over 30 years ago. The
Beach Report Card is an important and comprehensive
public health tool, providing weekly and annual water
quality grades based on bacterial pollution at over 700 beaches from Washington to Tijuana. We provide this
information to the public through a website and app —
all free of charge. Further, the Beach Report Card has
been used for advocacy by Heal the Bay to protect and
improve water quality and has spurred municipalities
and agencies to take action, resulting in numerous
success stories.
Grades in the Beach Report Card are based on
concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB)
measured at ocean beaches. While not harmful
themselves, the bacteria measured for the Beach
Report Card indicate the presence of pathogencontaining fecal matter. Organizations like Heal the Bay, the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA), and all water recreation stakeholders are most concerned about fecal pollution over other pollutants
because fecal pollution poses an acute health risk,
meaning one exposure can make someone sick.
Other contaminants like metals pose a chronic health
risk, meaning illness only sets in if someone suffers
prolonged exposure. The average beachgoer does
not get enough exposure to contaminants that pose a
chronic health risk. Therefore, only bacteria standards are used to assess recreational water quality. Some
beachgoers are privileged enough to have frequent
access to the beach (surfers for example). These folks
are in the water more than a weekend beach visitor, so
they may potentially have higher rates of exposure to
harmful pollution.
For all beach users, we recommend using the Beach
Report Card to understand the risk of getting sick. If
beachgoers avoid the water at beaches with a poor
water quality grade based on fecal matter levels,
they’re also likely avoiding other pollutants in addition to that bacteria. This is because most pollutants enter the ocean through the same routes: storm drains,
rivers, and streams. Pollution flows off our streets and into these waterways, which subsequently discharge
the contaminants into the ocean. We advise people to
avoid contact with ocean water around storm drains
and river outlets, and avoid all ocean contact for at
least three days following a significant rain event. Heal the Bay does not support restricting access to the
beach or the water, except in rare cases, but we want
people to have access to water quality information to
make informed decisions on where or when to get in.
9 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
I WELCOME
BEACH REPORT CARD BASICS
The BRC uses a simple A-to-F letter grading system to provide water quality information to the public. This annual report issues cumulative grades for beaches on the West Coast, and provides information about other important water quality events that occurred in the past year such as sewage spills and major rainfall events.
Grades are based on routine
water quality sampling conducted
by County health agencies, State
agencies, Tribal agencies, sanitation
departments, and dischargers on
the West Coast. For recreational
health protection, water samples
are analyzed for three fecal indicator
bacteria (FIB): total coliform, fecal
coliform (E. coli), and Enterococcus
species. These FIB, in significant
quantities, indicate the presence of
harmful pathogens in the water.
This report assigns three separate
grades for each beach:
Summer Dry Grade (April
through October 2022)
This is the prime recreation season in
California when beaches are most active.
County governments are required to
sample during this period according
to the California Beach Bathing Water
Quality Standards, as defined in
Assembly Bill 411 (AB 411, Wayne 1997).6
Samples taken during wet weather
are not used for these grades.
6 https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/bacterialobjectives/
Winter Dry Grade (November
2022 through March 2023)
AB411 does not mandate water
quality monitoring for recreational
purposes during winter months
leading many Counties and States
to halt water quality monitoring
in the winter season. Additionally,
recreation generally decreases
at beaches during the winter.
Therefore, the winter season is
graded separately. Samples taken
during wet weather are not used for
these grades.
Wet Weather Grade (April
2022 through March 2023)
Rain flushes contaminants and
pollution, including bacteria over
impermeable surfaces such as
concrete and from our streets
directly into the ocean through
storm drains, rivers, and streams.
This untreated stormwater
decreases water quality by
increasing the amount of pathogens
in the ocean to potentially unsafe
levels. Wet Weather Grades consist
of samples taken during or three
days following a rain event greater
than 0.1 inches.
Beachgoers who visit beaches
during or after a rain event have
an increased risk of contracting ear
infections, eye infections, upper
respiratory infections, skin rashes,
and gastrointestinal illnesses.7,8,9
Swimmers are advised to stay out
of the water for a minimum of three
days following a significant rain
event (0.1 inches or greater).10
7 Haile, R.W., J.S. Witte, M. Gold, R. Cressey, C. McGee, R.C. Millikan, A. Glasser, N. Harawa, C. Ervin, P.
Harmon, J. Harper, J. Dermand, J. Alamillo, K. Barrett, M. Nides, G. Wang. The health effects of swimming
in ocean water contaminated by storm drain runoff.
1999. Epidemiology Vol. 10 No.4 355-363.
8 Colford, J.M., T.J. Wade, K.C. Schiff, C.C. Wright, J.F.
Griffith, S.K. Sandhu, S. Burns, M. Sobsey, G. Lovelace, S.B. Weisberg. 2007. Water quality indicators and the
risk of illness at beaches with nonpoint sources of
fecal contamination. Epidemiology Vol. 10 No. 1 27-35.
9 Arnold, B.F., K.C. Schiff, A. Ercumen, J. BenjaminChung, J.A. Steele, J.F. Griffith, S.J. Steinberg, P. Smith, C.D. McGee, R. Wilson, C. Nelsen, S.B. Weisberg,
J.M. Colford. 2017. Acute illness among surfers after
exposure to seawater in dry-and wet-weather conditions. American Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 186 No. 7 866-875.
10 https://healthebay.org/time-to-rethink-the-3-day-rainadvisory-rule/ 10 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
West Coast Summary
McWay Falls / Monterey County
11 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
CALIFORNIA OVERVIEW Newport Beach / Orange County
Note: All averages below refer to the five-year-average unless otherwise indicated.
All percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Summer Dry Grades were excellent across the State with 95% of California beaches receiving A and B grades, which is on par with the average. Winter Dry Grades were below average with 83% of the beaches receiving A and B grades. Wet Weather Grades for the past year were also below average with 56% of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
Coastal counties in California received 52% more
rainfall than the 10 year average, with some coastal
counties breaking their historical precipitation records.
This record-setting year came at a time when most
coastal California counties were experiencing drought
conditions not seen in California in the last 1,200 years.11 While the winter storms helped temporarily alleviate
California’s water supply concerns, they simultaneously had a negative impact on beach water quality across
the state. This is evidenced by the below average Wet
Weather grades and the almost nonexistent Honor
Roll list. Unfortunately, we can expect large annual
swings in precipitation and water quality across Coastal California as climate change continues to disrupt
earth’s patterns.
The immense amount of rain also likely contributed to
the higher than average amount of sewage that spilled
11 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-022-01290-z
II WEST COAST SUMMARY
CALIFORNIA
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 381 87% 129 70% 201 45%
B 35 8% 24 13% 48 11%
C 8 2% 6 3% 35 8%
D 3 1% 8 4% 33 7%
F 12 3% 17 9% 128 29%
A+B 416 95% 153 83% 249 56%
C,D,F 23 5% 31 17% 196 44%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 404 87% 290 81% 231 51%
B 33 7% 31 9% 46 10%
C 13 3% 17 5% 31 7%
D 7 1% 7 2% 27 6%
F 9 2% 15 4% 116 26%
A+B 438 94% 321 89% 277 61%
C,D,F 28 6% 39 11% 174 39%
12 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY CALIFORNIA OVERVIEW
into coastal California waterways this past year. During storms, sewage lines are commonly flooded with
rainwater causing them to overflow. In this reporting
year, over 45 million gallons of sewage entered the
ocean, rivers, lakes, and streams throughout coastal
California. That is 16 million gallons more than what was reported in last year’s Beach Report Card, which was
also considered high. California has now experienced
two consecutive years of elevated sewage spill
amounts, likely a result of faulty or failing sewage
infrastructure, which is under more stress in wet
weather. We urge local officials to invest significantly in infrastructure updates and public notification protocols to ensure the safety of all beach visitors.
Sewage contains contaminants harmful to aquatic
life such as pharmaceuticals, nutrients, caffeine, and
petroleum compounds as well as pathogens harmful
to humans. Beach closures resulting from the spills
disrupted quality of life for oceangoers and financially damaged businesses that operate on the coast.
Therefore, it is alarming to witness this uptick in human waste entering our waterways.
Northern California Overview
Northern California consists of all counties from Del
Norte County to Marin County.
Summer Dry Grades in this region were very good with
93% of beaches receiving A and B grades, which is on
par with average. No Northern California beaches were
sampled enough in winter months to receive Winter
Dry Grades.
Wet Weather Grades in the northern part of the state
were surprisingly excellent with 93% of beaches
receiving A’s and B’s.
The Northern California region received more rainfall
than average, but the increase was not as large as what we saw in Central and Southern California. Usually,
higher than average rainfall results in decreased Wet
Weather Grades because more pollutants, including
bacteria, are flushed into the ocean. However, we
observed higher than average rainfall coupled with
better than average Wet Weather Grades. This result is
likely due to the fact that most precipitation fell during winter months when Northern California beaches were
not monitored.
Crab Cove / Alameda County / photo: Sabrina Sexton
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 40 91% 0 NA 37 84%
B 1 2% 0 NA 4 9%
C 1 2% 0 NA 2 5%
D 1 2% 0 NA 1 2%
F 1 2% 0 NA 0 0%
A+B 41 93% 0 NA 41 93%
C,D,F 3 7% 0 NA 3 7%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 38 88% 1 100% 23 68%
B 2 5% 0 0% 3 10%
C 1 3% 0 0% 2 7%
D 1 1% 0 0% 1 4%
F 1 2% 0 0% 4 11%
A+B 40 93% 1 100% 26 78%
C,D,F 3 7% 0 0% 7 22%
13 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY CALIFORNIA OVERVIEW
Central California Overview
Central California consists of all counties from San
Francisco County to San Luis Obispo County.
Summer Dry Grades were good with 91% of beaches
receiving A and B marks, which is close to the average.
Winter Dry Grades were above average with 88% of
the beaches receiving A and B grades.
Wet Weather Grades were very low with 51% of the
region’s beaches receiving A and B grades. That is
below the lackluster 61% average.
Central California Counties saw 85% more rainfall than
average, which likely accounts for the below average
Wet Weather Grades this past year.
Southern California Overview
Southern California consists of all counties from Santa Barbara County to San Diego County.
Outstandingly, 96% of the region’s Summer Dry Grades
were A and B grades, which is slightly above the
average.
Winter Dry Grades were below average with 82% of
SoCal beaches receiving A and B grades.
Wet Weather Grades were slacking and below average.
Only 52% of the beaches in Southern California
received A and B grades when it rained.
Southern California experienced the largest increase in precipitation with a rainfall total that was 102% greater than the average. The record-setting rainfall washed
more bacteria into the ocean, which caused lower Wet
Weather Grades and the near disappearance of SoCal
beaches from the Honor Roll.
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 68 78% 32 74% 33 36%
B 11 13% 6 14% 13 14%
C 1 1% 0 0% 7 8%
D 1 1% 2 5% 7 8%
F 6 7% 3 7% 31 34%
A+B 79 91% 38 88% 46 51%
C,D,F 8 9% 5 12% 45 49%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 60 76% 47 71% 45 49%
B 11 14% 7 11% 12 13%
C 3 3% 5 7% 9 9%
D 2 2% 2 3% 5 5%
F 4 5% 6 8% 22 24%
A+B 71 89% 54 82% 57 61%
C,D,F 8 11% 12 18% 36 39%
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 273 89% 97 69% 131 42%
B 23 7% 18 13% 31 10%
C 6 2% 6 4% 26 8%
D 1 0% 6 4% 25 8%
F 5 2% 14 10% 97 31%
A+B 296 96% 115 82% 162 52%
C,D,F 12 4% 26 18% 148 48%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 307 89% 243 83% 163 50%
B 20 6% 23 8% 31 10%
C 9 3% 12 4% 20 6%
D 4 1% 5 2% 21 6%
F 4 1% 9 3% 90 28%
A+B 327 95% 266 91% 193 60%
C,D,F 17 5% 27 9% 130 40%
14 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Not all beaches are the same when it comes to water quality. We have categorized California’s beaches into three groups for analysis: 1) open beaches, 2) storm drain, stream, and river beaches, and 3) enclosed beaches.
IMPACT OF BEACH TYPE
Open Beaches
Open beaches do not have obstructions
between the beach and open water. They
experience more wave action and greater water
circulation than an enclosed beach. These beaches do
not have storm drains, streams, or rivers flowing into
them. As a result, open beaches tend to have better
water quality than enclosed or storm drain, stream, or
river beaches. Seventy-nine open beaches received
grades this year.
• Summer Dry Grades were phenomenal with 99%
of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
• Winter Dry Grades were good with 90% of the
beaches receiving A and B grades.
• Wet Weather Grades were below average with
70% of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
• As indicated by the poorer Wet Weather Grades,
open beaches are still impacted by stormwater. We
advise people to avoid contact with ocean water
for at least three days at all beaches following a
significant rain event.
Storm Drain, Stream, and
River Beaches
Beaches with storm drains, streams, or
rivers flowing into them receive runoff that carries
bacteria. We recommend swimming at least 100 yards
away from storm drains, streams, and rivers at the
beach. Also, avoid contact with the water for at least
three days following a rain event. This year we issued
grades to 218 of these beaches.
• Summer Dry Grades were superb with 94% of the
beaches receiving A and B grades.
• Winter Dry Grades were below average with 84%
of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
• Wet Weather Grades were abysmal and below
average with only 50% of the beaches receiving A
and B grades.
• Four of this year’s Beach Bummers were impacted
by runoff from a nearby storm drain, river, or
stream.
Cowells Beach / Santa Cruz County
II WEST COAST SUMMARY
15 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY IMPACT OF BEACH TYPE
Enclosed Beaches
Enclosed beaches have obstructions like a
land mass or jetty blocking the beach from
the open water. They are often associated
with lagoons, marinas, and harbors. Enclosed beaches
have little wave action and poor water circulation,
which leads to generally worse water quality. Due to
their calm waters, enclosed beaches are inviting for
small children, and they are frequently preferred by
parents and given names like Mother’s Beach. We
calculated grades for 80 enclosed beaches this year.
• Summer Dry Grades for enclosed beaches were
about average with 91% receiving A and B grades.
• Winter Dry Grades were exceptionally below
average with only 58% of enclosed beaches
receiving A and B grades.
• Wet Weather Grades were surprisingly above
average with 51% of enclosed beaches receiving
A and B grades. Despite being above average for
enclosed beaches, these are still very poor marks,
which is typical for this beach type.
• Five of this year’s Beach Bummers were enclosed
beaches.
Mother’s Beach / Los Angeles County
16 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY IMPACT OF BEACH TYPE
GRADES BY TIME PERIOD & BEACH TYPE
ENCLOSED
OPEN
STORM DRAIN
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 73 92% 33 80% 48 57%
B 5 6% 4 10% 11 13%
C 1 1% 1 2% 11 13%
D 0 0% 1 2% 4 5%
F 0 0% 2 5% 10 12%
A+B 78 99% 37 90% 59 70%
C,D,F 1 1% 4 10% 25 30%
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 189 87% 72 72% 81 37%
B 17 8% 12 12% 28 13%
C 4 2% 3 3% 17 8%
D 1 0% 4 4% 22 10%
F 7 3% 9 9% 72 33%
A+B 206 94% 84 84% 109 50%
C,D,F 12 6% 16 16% 111 50%
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 62 78% 4 21% 41 51%
B 11 14% 7 37% 0 0%
C 1 1% 2 11% 4 5%
D 2 3% 2 11% 3 4%
F 4 5% 4 21% 32 40%
A+B 73 91% 11 58% 41 51%
C,D,F 7 9% 8 42% 39 49%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 82 93% 57 89% 57 67%
B 4 4% 3 4% 10 12%
C 1 2% 2 3% 5 6%
D 0 0% 1 2% 3 3%
F 0 0% 1 2% 10 12%
A+B 86 98% 60 93% 68 78%
C,D,F 2 3% 5 7% 19 22%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 197 85% 142 80% 119 53%
B 17 7% 16 9% 22 10%
C 9 4% 9 5% 15 7%
D 4 2% 4 2% 14 6%
F 4 2% 6 3% 56 25%
A+B 214 93% 158 89% 140 62%
C,D,F 17 7% 19 11% 84 38%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 78 81% 49 70% 29 32%
B 10 10% 10 14% 8 9%
C 3 3% 5 7% 6 7%
D 2 2% 1 2% 6 7%
F 3 4% 5 8% 40 45%
A+B 88 92% 58 84% 37 41%
C,D,F 8 8% 11 16% 52 59%
17 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
HONOR ROLL Bean Hollow State Beach / San Mateo County / photo: Sarunas Burdulis A+
BEACH NAME COUNTY
Point Loma, Lighthouse San Diego
Bean Hollow State Beach San Mateo
HONOR ROLL 2022-2023
To earn a spot on the Honor Roll, a beach must be monitored weekly all year and must receive an A+ for all seasons and weather conditions (Summer Dry, Winter Dry, Wet Weather).
This year, only two out of over 500 monitored beaches
made it on the Honor Roll compared to 51 last year.
Unfortunately, the unprecedented amount of rain that
fell across California during the 2022–2023 winter led
to an enormous dip in water quality and a very short
Honor Roll list.
The record rainfall impacted the Honor Roll list in two ways: 1) fewer beaches received Winter Dry Grades
because most of the winter data was collected during
wet weather, and 2) increased precipitation negatively
impacted water quality. In order to get on the Honor Roll, a beach must have zero bacterial exceedances all year
under all conditions, which is extremely difficult to do with so much rainfall. The unsettlingly short Honor Roll was also impacted by our inability to grade one third of San Diego County’s beaches, which usually comprise a
large portion of the Honor Roll (15 in the last report).
The Honor Roll is typically dominated by Southern
California beaches, in part, because many Northern and
Central California Counties do not monitor beach water
quality year-round. However, it appears that the wet
weather from this past winter took its toll everywhere.
The Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego and Bean
Hollow State Beach are the sole Honor Roll beaches
this year. Bean Hollow State Beach is notable because it is located in San Mateo County, which is home to half of this year’s Beach Bummers.
II WEST COAST SUMMARY
18 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
BEACH BUMMERS
F
The beaches that received the ten poorest Summer Dry Grades are called Beach Bummers. This year’s Beach Bummers are:
1. Playa Blanca
(Baja California, Mexico)
Tied for number one is Playa Blanca located south of
the City of Tijuana, and remaining as our number one
Beach Bummer from last year. This beach and others
in the area are impacted by sewage-contaminated
runoff from the Tijuana area, which has insufficient
and, in some places, nonexistent sewage infrastructure.
This beach may also receive influxes of sewage
contamination from the Punta Bandera treatment
plant outfall, north of the beach. This treatment
plant discharges millions of gallons of lightly treated wastewater into the ocean. However, some research
has found that ocean currents predominantly carry
this contamination northward so additional pollution
sources for this beach may need to be identified.
1. Santa Monica Pier
(Los Angeles County)
Tied for number one is Santa Monica Pier, which
unfortunately returns to the Beach Bummer list for a
second consecutive year. Being a perpetual Beach
Bummer was the norm for the pier until 2018 when the
city of Santa Monica installed a stormwater capture
system next to the pier.12 Unfortunately, it appears that Santa Monica Pier’s water quality woes go beyond
polluted runoff. The city is in the process of replacing the bird deterrent netting underneath the pier because
bird feces is suspected to be the main culprit for the poor water quality. The City of Santa Monica is also installing a trash removal device in the large storm drain south of the pier at Pico Boulevard, which could help reduce bacteria levels around the pier.13 The City recently completed a large stormwater capture project that will keep polluted water from entering the ocean and increase local water
resilience.14
3. Linda Mar Beach
(San Mateo County)
Linda Mar Beach is no stranger to the Beach Bummer
list, last earning Beach Bummer designation in our 2020 report. Unlike the other San Mateo Beach Bummers, this
beach is on the Pacific Ocean, and it receives pollutionridden runoff via San Pedro Creek. 12 https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/santa-monica-draws-line-in-the-sand-on-water-infrastructure-innovation 13 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35635882/
14 https://www.santamonica.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure-project-swip
II WEST COAST SUMMARY
El Faro Beach / Tijuana
19 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
4. Marlin Park
(San Mateo County)
The second of five San Mateo Beach Bummers, Marlin
Park has now earned Bummer status for a third
consecutive year. This beach sits within a series of
human engineered channels near Foster City that
allow very little water circulation so pollution from the surrounding developed areas lingers in the water.
5. Erckenbrack Park
(San Mateo County)
Erckenbrack Park has recently become a perennial
Beach Bummer having received official Bummer
designation for a fourth straight year. This beach is
within the same network of channels that is home to
Marlin Park and Gull Park and is unfortunately prone to water quality issues. The lack of water circulation and high amount of nearby human development makes the
Foster City area a perfect incubator for Beach Bummers.
6. Tijuana River Mouth
(San Diego County)
The Tijuana River discharges tens of millions of gallons of sewage into the ocean every year. This issue
originates within the City of Tijuana, which has problems with impaired and insufficient sewage infrastructure.
Also, recent research has shown that partially-treated
sewage discharges from the Punta Bandera treatment
plant, located south of the city, flow north from the
Tijuana area and impact beaches in the border region.15 The USEPA is in the process of funding infrastructure
15 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.674214/full improvements in Tijuana and the Punta Bandera
treatment plant, which will be a big first step towards addressing water quality in the area.16
7. Pillar Point Harbor at Capistrano Ave.
(San Mateo County)
This beach is one of a half-dozen beaches enclosed
within Pillar Point Harbor, which sits on the Pacific
Ocean side of San Mateo County. The harbor is dotted
with storm drain outfalls that discharge polluted water, which does not get flushed away from the beach by
ocean currents or waves due to the harbor’s seawalls.
8. Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach
(Los Angeles County)
Regrettably, the name Mother’s Beach is now
synonymous with the term Beach Bummer. The
characteristics that make this beach a great destination for families also make it prone to bacteria pollution.
This beach is enclosed within Marina del Rey so there
is little wave action and water circulation. Similar to the San Mateo Beach Bummers, pollution does not get
flushed away from the shore as it does at beaches on
the open ocean. In 2022, L.A. County Department of
Beaches and Harbors conducted a study concluding
that most fecal pollution at the beach comes from birds.
The Department of Beaches and Harbors is planning
to install bird deterrents around the beach. Mother’s
Beach was closed for a few days this past January due
to a 64,000 gallon sewage spill, which was another
unfortunate setback for Mother’s Beach visitors.
16 https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/tijuana-river-watershed-nepaimplementation
II WEST COAST SUMMARY BEACH BUMMERS
Pillar Point Harbor / San Mateo County / photo: Brocken Inaglory 20 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
RANK LOCATION SUMMER
DRY GRADE COUNTY/AREA BEACH TYPE
1 Playa Blanca Tijuana
1 Santa Monica Pier Los Angeles Storm Drain Impacted
3 Linda Mar Beach, at San Pedro Creek San Mateo Storm Drain Impacted 4 Marlin Park, Foster City San Mateo Enclosed
5 Erckenbrack Park, Foster City San Mateo Enclosed
6 Tijuana Slough, Tijuana River mouth San Diego Storm Drain Impacted 7 Pillar Point Harbor, Capistrano Ave Beach San Mateo Enclosed 8 Marina del Rey Mothers' Beach,
between Lifeguard Tower and Boat dock Los Angeles Enclosed 9 Poche Creek Outlet Orange Storm Drain Impacted
10 Gull Park, Foster City San Mateo Enclosed
BEACH BUMMERS2022-2023 F
9. Poche Beach
(Orange County)
Representing Orange County on this year’s Beach
Bummer list is Poche Beach, which is a periodic
Bummer. Poche Beach receives polluted runoff from a
storm drain that flows directly onto the beach. Orange
County Public Works stated that equipment designed
to clean runoff from the storm drain was out of order for a couple months and running inefficiently after some
rare summer rain events last summer. Orange County
officials have stated that the equipment is now in good working order, and they expect better water quality
moving forward.17
17 https://www.southocwqip.org/documents/1148982b045643c887f67b06ef85ff25/ explore
10. Gull Park
(San Mateo County)
Rounding out the Beach Bummer list is Gull Park,
which is the fifth San Mateo Beach Bummer this year.
Gull Park last earned the title of Beach Bummer in
2021. Gull Park is close to Marlin Park and Erckenbrack Park and it suffers from the same water quality issues
those beaches do. San Mateo County officials need
to develop ways to capture urban runoff before it can
flow into the ocean, and they should explore ways
to improve water circulation in the channels around
Foster City.
II WEST COAST SUMMARY BEACH BUMMERS
21 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Note: All averages below refer to the five-year-average unless otherwise indicated.
All percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.
II WEST COAST SUMMARY
Del Norte County
Del Norte County is the northernmost coastal county in California, and there is only one beach that was monitored: Crescent City Beach at Battery Point Lighthouse. This beach received an A+ for its Summer Dry Grade, which is normal for this site.
There were no Winter Dry Grades issued for this site due to undersampling, and it received a B for its Wet Weather Grade.
This County received 62 inches of rain this past year, which is more than any other County in California and 16% greater than the historical average of 53 inches.
There were no sewage spills in Del Norte County that impacted recreational beaches or other waters during this past year.
CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUMMARIES
Kiddie Beach / Ventura County
photo: Genelle Guzman
DEL NORTE COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 1 100% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 100%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 1 100% NO DATA NO DATA 1 100%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 1 100% 1 100% 1 55%
B 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
C 0 0% 0 0% 0 23%
D 0 0% 0 0% 0 23%
F 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
A+B 1 100% 1 100% 1 55%
C,D,F 0 0% 0 0% 1 45%
22 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUMMARIES
Humboldt County
Summer Dry Grades were very poor this year with only 40% of the beaches receiving A and B grades, which is below average.
Wet Weather Grades were poor but better than average with 60% of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
Humboldt County does not monitor its beaches in the winter months so there were no Winter Dry Grades and no beaches were eligible for the Honor Roll.
Humboldt County received 55 inches of cumulative rainfall, which is 52% higher than the historical average of 36 inches.
Most of the rain fell during the winter months when the beaches are not monitored, so we do not know the full impact the increased rainfall had on water quality.
Humboldt County did not have any sewage spills that impacted ocean beaches this past year. However, there were 18 spills totaling 805,123 gallons that reached lakes, rivers, or streams.
Mendocino County
Mendocino County’s water quality was very good with all beaches receiving A’s and B’s for Summer Dry Grades. Beaches in this county have not received a Summer Dry Grade lower than a B in the last six years. All Mendocino beaches received A’s for their Wet Weather Grades, which is outstanding.
Mendocino County does not monitor its beaches in the winter months so there were no Winter Dry Grades and no beaches were eligible for the Honor Roll.
Mendocino County is one of two coastal counties this year that actually experienced lower than average rainfall. The County received 20 inches of rain, which is 43% lower than the average of 35 inches.
Mendocino County beach lovers experienced a sewage free summer. Three spills totaling 4,540 gallons reached a body of water, but none were close to ocean beaches.
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 2 40% NO DATA NO DATA 1 20%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 2 40%
C 1 20% NO DATA NO DATA 1 20%
D 1 20% NO DATA NO DATA 1 20%
F 1 20% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 2 40% NO DATA NO DATA 3 60%
C,D,F 3 60% NO DATA NO DATA 2 40%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 2 36% NO DATA NO DATA 1 25%
B 1 12% NO DATA NO DATA 1 30%
C 1 20% NO DATA NO DATA 0 10%
D 1 12% NO DATA NO DATA 1 15%
F 1 20% NO DATA NO DATA 1 20%
A+B 2 48% NO DATA NO DATA 2 55%
C,D,F 3 52% NO DATA NO DATA 2 45%
MENDOCINO COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 4 80% NO DATA NO DATA 5 100%
B 1 20% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 5 100% NO DATA NO DATA 5 100%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 5 96% 0 NA 3 74%
B 0 4% 0 NA 1 13%
C 0 0% 0 NA 0 9%
D 0 0% 0 NA 0 4%
F 0 0% 0 NA 0 0%
A+B 5 100% 0 NA 4 87%
C,D,F 0 0% 0 NA 1 13%
23 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUMMARIES
Sonoma County
Sonoma County beaches got straight A’s for Summer Dry
Grades, and all beaches got either an A or a B for Wet Weather, which is typical for this stretch of coastline. Sonoma County does not monitor its beaches in winter months so no Winter Dry Grades were generated and no beaches from this county were eligible for the Honor Roll.
Sonoma County is one of two coastal counties that received lower than average precipitation. In total, 17 inches of rain fell across Sonoma County, which is 35% lower than the historical average of 27 inches. This is now the third straight year of below average rainfall for Sonoma County.
All 376,352 gallons of sewage spilled throughout Sonoma County this past year flowed into inland waters and did not impact ocean beaches.
Marin County
Summer Dry Grades were top of the class with all beaches receiving A’s. Wet Weather Grades were above average with 96% receiving either an A or a B. Marin County does not monitor its beaches in winter months so no Winter Dry Grades were calculated and no beaches from this County were eligible for the Honor Roll.
Marin County received 37 inches of rain, which is 93% above the historical average of 19 inches. However, most of the rain fell during the winter months when the beaches are not monitored, so we do not know if there was an impact on water quality.
Close to 35,000 gallons of sewage flowed into Marin County waterways this past year. Two spills totaling 8,025 gallons flowed into the Corte Madera Marsh Ecological Reserve. While no recreational beaches are in the area, we are concerned about the ecological impacts of these spills.
SONOMA COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 7 100% NO DATA NO DATA 6 86%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 14%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 7 100% NO DATA NO DATA 7 100%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 7 97% NO DATA NO DATA 5 100%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 3% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 7 97% NO DATA NO DATA 5 100%
C,D,F 0 3% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
MARIN COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 26 100% NO DATA NO DATA 25 96%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 4%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 26 100% NO DATA NO DATA 25 96%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 4%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 23 94% NO DATA NO DATA 13 68%
B 1 6% NO DATA NO DATA 2 8%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 7%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 1%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 3 15%
A+B 24 100% NO DATA NO DATA 15 77%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 5 23%
24 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUMMARIES
San Francisco County
100% of San Francisco’s Summer Dry Grades were either A’s or B’s this year, which is exceptional and above average.
Wet Weather Grades were slightly below average with 44% of beaches receiving A and B grades. However, this is an improvement over last year when no beaches received an A and only 17% received a B.
Winter Dry Grades were excellent as all beaches received either an A or a B.
San Francisco County received 37 inches of rain, which is a 93% increase from the historical average of 19 inches. San Francisco has a combined sewer system meaning rain runoff flows into the sewer system and gets treated instead of flowing into the ocean. Therefore, we did not see a major decrease in Wet Weather Grades this past year.
One spill sent 2.3 million gallons of sewage into the San Francisco Bay near Crissy Field and Aquatic Park, which were both closed for several days as a result. This single massive spill accounts for most of the sewage that reached surface water across San Francisco in 2022–2023.
Crane Cove/San Francisco / Credit: Corey Chrisman
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 15 94% 16 100% 4 22%
B 1 6% 0 0% 4 22%
C 0 0% 0 0% 2 11%
D 0 0% 0 0% 3 17%
F 0 0% 0 0% 5 28%
A+B 16 100% 16 100% 8 44%
C,D,F 0 0% 0 0% 10 56%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 13 85% 11 75% 5 26%
B 2 13% 2 12% 4 21%
C 0 1% 0 3% 2 11%
D 0 0% 0 3% 1 4%
F 0 1% 1 7% 7 37%
A+B 15 97% 13 88% 9 47%
C,D,F 0 3% 2 12% 10 53%
25 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUMMARIES
East Bay: Alameda County
and Contra Costa County
The East Bay had outstanding water quality over the last year with 100% of the beaches earning either an A or a B for Summer Dry Grades. For Wet Weather Grades, 75% of the beaches
received A and B grades, which is substantially higher than average. East Bay beaches are monitored in winter months, but no Winter Dry Grades were calculated this year because most winter data was categorized as wet weather.
Alameda County and Contra Costa County received 37 inches of rain, which is a 93% increase from the historical average of 19 inches. More rainfall usually results in worse water quality because more pollutants are washed into the ocean, but the East Bay has bucked that trend this year.
The East Bay tied with Ventura County in having the most sewage spilled into waterways this past year (11 million gallons).
Keller Beach was closed for several days after 17,000 gallons of sewage were spilled near the beach. Over 4 million gallons of sewage spilled into the marina south of downtown Oakland — while no ocean beaches were impacted in this instance, we are alarmed by the large amount spilled.
Keller Beach, Richmond / Contra Costa County
EAST BAY COUNTIES
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 7 88% NO DATA NO DATA 5 63%
B 1 13% NO DATA NO DATA 1 13%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 2 25%
A+B 8 100% NO DATA NO DATA 6 75%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 2 25%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 6 72% 2 70% 3 41%
B 1 18% 1 20% 1 18%
C 0 5% 0 10% 1 15%
D 0 5% 0 0% 0 6%
F 0 0% 0 0% 1 21%
A+B 7 90% 3 90% 4 59%
C,D,F 1 10% 0 10% 3 41%
26 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUMMARIES
San Mateo County
Summer Dry Grades were mediocre with only 71% of beaches earning A and B grades. This is still slightly above the average for this county, which has struggled with water quality in recent years.
Wet Weather Grades were bottom of the class as only 31% of beaches earned A and B grades.
Winter Dry Grades fared better with 76% receiving A and B grades, which is well above average for this county.
San Mateo County is home to five of this year’s Beach Bummers:
Erckenbrack Park, Marlin Park, Gull Park, Linda Mar Beach, and Pillar Point Harbor. Four of the beaches are categorized as enclosed, which means they do not receive sufficient water circulation. Linda Mar Beach is impacted by pollution from San Pedro Creek. This marks the fifth consecutive report where San Mateo County has multiple Beach Bummers.
The one bright spot for San Mateo County this year is that it has one of only two Honor Roll beaches. Bean Hollow State Beach did not experience a single bacterial exceedance this past year making it one of the cleanest beaches in the state.
San Mateo County received 37 inches of rain, which is a 93% increase from the historical average of 19 inches. Wet Weather Grades were substantially lower than average as a result of the increase in rainfall.
Over 3.2 million gallons of sewage were spilled upcoast of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in February. We did not find records of beach closures for the spill. Miramar Beach experienced three separate sewage spills totaling 81,500 gallons, resulting in beach closures. These spills still account for less than half of the 7.5 million gallons of sewage spilled into the ocean, lakes, rivers, and streams in San Mateo County this past year.
Tunitas Beach / San Mateo County / photo: David Baron
SAN MATEO COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 12 50% 12 57% 4 15%
B 5 21% 4 19% 4 15%
C 1 4% 0 0% 2 8%
D 1 4% 2 10% 2 8%
F 5 21% 3 14% 14 54%
A+B 17 71% 16 76% 8 31%
C,D,F 7 29% 5 24% 18 69%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 7 42% 9 40% 8 32%
B 4 24% 3 13% 2 10%
C 1 8% 3 15% 3 11%
D 1 6% 2 7% 2 10%
F 3 20% 6 26% 9 37%
A+B 11 66% 11 52% 10 42%
C,D,F 6 34% 10 48% 14 58%
27 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUMMARIES
Santa Cruz County
Summer Dry Grades were great and a little higher than average this year with 93% of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
Wet Weather Grades were disappointing as only 21% of the beaches received an A or B grade; this is far lower than the average of 59%.
Winter Dry Grades were outstanding and above average with 100% of the County’s beaches receiving A and B grades.
Santa Cruz County received 42 inches of rain, which is 63% above the historical average of 26 inches. This had a dramatic negative impact on Wet Weather Grades.
Seven separate spills sent a total of 553,150 gallons of sewage into waterways. Thirty-six thousand gallons of sewage flowed into the San Lorenzo River less than half a mile upstream from Main Beach in January. We are alarmed as we could not find a record of a beach closure due to the spill.
Monterey County
Monterey County’s beaches received all A’s for Summer Dry grades, which is better than average.
Wet Weather Grades were decent and equal to average with 83% of the County’s beaches receiving A and B grades.
Monterey County does not monitor its beaches in winter
months so no Winter Dry Grades were generated and no
beaches from this county were eligible for the Honor Roll.
Monterey County received 27 inches of rain, which is 62% higher than the historical average of 17 inches. We do not know the full impact this increase in precipitation had on water quality because Monterey County does not monitor its beaches in the winter when most rainfall occurs.
Two small spills of 50 gallons each occurred near San Carlos Beach in the City of Monterey. Overall, 109,605 gallons of sewage were spilled into waterways across the county in this reporting year.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 10 71% 4 67% 1 7%
B 3 21% 2 33% 2 14%
C 0 0% 0 0% 2 14%
D 0 0% 0 0% 2 14%
F 1 7% 0 0% 7 50%
A+B 13 93% 6 100% 3 21%
C,D,F 1 7% 0 0% 11 79%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 9 69% 6 65% 8 45%
B 3 20% 2 20% 2 14%
C 1 5% 1 10% 2 13%
D 0 3% 0 2% 1 6%
F 0 3% 0 2% 4 23%
A+B 11 89% 8 86% 10 59%
C,D,F 1 11% 1 14% 7 41%
MONTEREY COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 6 100% NO DATA NO DATA 5 83%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 17%
A+B 6 100% NO DATA NO DATA 5 83%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 17%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 7 92% 4 92% 5 83%
B 1 8% 0 8% 0 0%
C 0 0% 0 0% 0 7%
D 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
F 0 0% 0 0% 1 10%
A+B 7 100% 4 100% 5 83%
C,D,F 0 0% 0 0% 1 17%
28 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUMMARIES
San Luis Obispo County
In typical fashion, 100% of San Luis Obispo County’s Summer Dry Grades were either A’s or B’s.
Wet Weather Grades were lower than average with 84% of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
San Luis Obispo County beaches are monitored in the winter.
However, this past winter was so rainy that most of the winter samples were categorized under wet weather. Therefore, we were not able to issue Winter Dry Grades.
San Luis Obispo County received 24 inches of rain, which is 117% higher than the average of 11 inches. The exceptionally large increase in precipitation likely caused the below average Wet Weather Grades.
558,826 gallons of sewage spilled into San Luis Obispo County waterways in 2022–2023. Morro Beach and Vaila Beach
experienced closures due to separate 10,000 gallon sewage spills.
Santa Barbara County
Summer Dry Grades were exceptionally good this past year with 100% of beaches receiving an A.
Wet Weather Grades were flunking with a dismal 50% earning A and B grades, which is typical for Santa Barbara County.
Winter Dry Grades were superb and above average with 100% of the beaches earning A and B grades for a third straight year.
Santa Barbara County received 20 inches of rainfall this past year, which was 83% higher than the average of 11 inches. However, there was not a noticeable dip in wet weather water quality as a result.
Nine sewage spills totaling 51,180 gallons flowed into the ocean, rivers, lakes, and streams throughout the county. 28,034 gallons of sewage were spilled into the ocean near the Santa Barbara Pier resulting in temporary closures of the surrounding beaches.
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 18 95% NO DATA NO DATA 14 74%
B 1 5% NO DATA NO DATA 2 11%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 5%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 2 11%
A+B 19 100% NO DATA NO DATA 16 84%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 3 16%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 19 98% 18 95% 16 85%
B 0 2% 1 3% 2 9%
C 0 0% 0 2% 0 2%
D 0 0% 0 0% 0 2%
F 0 0% 0 0% 0 1%
A+B 19 100% 19 98% 18 95%
C,D,F 0 0% 0 2% 1 5%
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 16 100% 6 50% 3 19%
B 0 0% 6 50% 5 31%
C 0 0% 0 0% 3 19%
D 0 0% 0 0% 3 19%
F 0 0% 0 0% 2 13%
A+B 16 100% 12 100% 8 50%
C,D,F 0 0% 0 0% 8 50%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 14 86% 13 84% 7 43%
B 1 8% 1 9% 1 8%
C 1 5% 0 3% 1 9%
D 0 1% 0 0% 2 13%
F 0 0% 1 4% 5 29%
A+B 15 94% 14 94% 8 50%
C,D,F 1 6% 1 6% 8 50%
29 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUMMARIES
Ventura County
True to form, 100% of Ventura County’s beaches received A and B Summer Dry Grades.
Wet Weather Grades took a plunge below average this past year with only 53% earning A’s and B’s.
Winter Dry grades were unusually poor in Ventura County. Only 67% of the beaches receive A’s or B’s.
Ventura County received 22 inches of rain, which is 111% higher than the historical average of 10 inches. This increase likely resulted in the below average Wet Weather Grades.
The 11 million gallons of sewage spilled into waterways throughout Ventura County is the most spilled within a single county this past year. No ocean beaches were impacted by the six total sewage spills, but nearly all 11 million gallons spilled into San Antonio Creek in one spill event, which is highly concerning.
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County had superlative Summer Dry Grades with 94% of the County’s beaches receiving A and B grades, which is above average.
Wet Weather Grades were appalling with only 30% earning A’s and B’s, which is well below the already poor average of 44%.
Winter Dry Grades dipped below average with only 74% earning A and B grades.
Two of L.A. County’s chronic Beach Bummers returned to the list this year. Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach and Santa Monica Pier have unfortunately kept their streak of poor water quality alive for another year.
L.A. County received 23 inches of rain, which is 143% above the historical average of 10 inches. L.A. County experienced the most dramatic increase in precipitation, and that unfortunately led to particularly poor Wet Weather Grades.
Los Angeles County experienced 95 sewage spills that added up to 330,396 gallons, which is far less than the 20 million gallons spilled the previous year. Mother’s Beach was closed for several days due to a 64,000 gallon spill in January.
VENTURA COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 31 97% 5 56% 18 47%
B 1 3% 1 11% 2 5%
C 0 0% 1 11% 2 5%
D 0 0% 1 11% 6 16%
F 0 0% 1 11% 10 26%
A+B 32 100% 6 67% 20 53%
C,D,F 0 0% 3 33% 18 47%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 38 99% 12 91% 23 77%
B 0 0% 1 4% 2 5%
C 0 1% 0 3% 2 5%
D 0 0% 0 1% 0 1%
F 0 0% 0 0% 3 11%
A+B 38 99% 13 96% 24 82%
C,D,F 0 1% 1 4% 5 18%
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 67 81% 28 61% 17 22%
B 11 13% 6 13% 7 9%
C 2 2% 3 7% 8 10%
D 1 1% 3 7% 11 14%
F 2 2% 6 13% 36 46%
A+B 78 94% 34 74% 24 30%
C,D,F 5 6% 12 26% 55 70%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 78 85% 66 75% 33 34%
B 7 8% 9 11% 10 11%
C 3 4% 6 7% 7 7%
D 2 2% 2 2% 8 8%
F 1 2% 4 5% 40 40%
A+B 85 92% 76 86% 43 44%
C,D,F 7 8% 13 14% 54 56%
30 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUMMARIES
Orange County
Summer Dry Grades surpassed the average with 98% of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
Wet Weather Grades were also better than average with 63% of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
Winter Dry Grades were stellar with 94% of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
Poche Beach returns to the Beach Bummer list after a brief two year hiatus. This beach has now earned Beach Bummer status four times in the last 10 years.
Orange County received 19 inches of rain, which is 116% higher than the historical average of 9 inches. However, the very large increase in rainfall did not appear to have a negative impact on Wet Weather Grades.
A total of 28,845 gallons of sewage were spilled into Orange County Waterways in 2022–2023. In March 2023, Doheny State Beach near San Juan Creek was closed for several days after a 4,000 gallon sewage spill close to the beach.
Newport Harbor / Orange County
ORANGE COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 123 94% 44 85% 63 53%
B 6 5% 5 10% 13 11%
C 1 1% 1 2% 10 8%
D 0 0% 0 0% 3 3%
F 1 1% 2 4% 31 26%
A+B 129 98% 49 94% 76 63%
C,D,F 2 2% 3 6% 44 37%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 113 92% 106 88% 54 47%
B 6 5% 8 6% 11 10%
C 2 2% 3 3% 7 6%
D 1 0% 1 1% 8 7%
F 1 1% 2 2% 34 30%
A+B 119 97% 113 94% 65 57%
C,D,F 4 3% 7 6% 49 43%
31 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUMMARIES
San Diego County
In May 2022, San Diego County began using a new bacteria testing method at the beaches it manages (approximately 33% of all the beaches in the county). This new method uses a type of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to measure bacterial genetic material in the water. Unfortunately, PCR data is not compatible with our grading methodology, which was
designed to use data generated by culturing bacteria. Heal the Bay has been a proponent of using PCR-based methods because they yield results faster and more accurately than culture methods. Heal the Bay is currently exploring ways to incorporate this new PCR data into the Beach Report Card.
In order to provide some information on water quality at San Diego beaches, we decided to analyze how frequently beaches monitored by San Diego County exceeded
standards approved by the State of California. We found that beaches monitored using PCR exceeded standards in 50%-
76% of the samples collected. Previously, these beaches exceeded standards in 5%–10% of samples analyzed using
cultured bacteria methods. We do not have evidence that these beaches are more heavily polluted, rather, we think the major discrepancy in bacterial exceedances is due to the high sensitivity of the new PCR method. We urge San Diego County to collect bacteria using culture methods until this discrepancy can be rectified.
We were still able to grade most of San Diego County’s beaches.
And among those beaches, Summer Dry Grades were good and slightly higher than average with 95% of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
Wet Weather Grades were poor and below average with only 63% of the beaches receiving A and B grades.
Winter Dry Grades were below average with 74% of beaches receiving A and B grades.
The Tijuana River Mouth ended up on the Beach Bummer list this year. Millions of gallons of untreated sewage regularly flow into the ocean via the Tijuana River. San Diego County was also home to one of two Honor Roll beaches: Point Loma Lighthouse.
San Diego County received 14 inches of rain last year, which is 59% higher than the historical average of 9 inches. This increase in rainfall may account for the below average Wet Weather Grades.
Ten million gallons of sewage spilled into San Diego Bay near Tidelands Park, Spanish Landing, and Shelter Island, resulting in closures for those beaches. This one spill comprised nearly all the sewage spilled into San Diego County waterways in 2022–2023.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 36 84% 14 74% 30 56%
B 5 12% 0 0% 4 7%
C 1 2% 1 5% 3 6%
D 0 0% 1 5% 2 4%
F 1 2% 3 16% 15 28%
A+B 41 95% 14 74% 34 63%
C,D,F 2 5% 5 26% 20 37%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 64 86% 44 82% 45 70%
B 6 8% 4 8% 6 10%
C 3 4% 2 3% 2 3%
D 1 1% 2 3% 3 4%
F 1 1% 2 3% 8 13%
A+B 69 94% 48 91% 51 79%
C,D,F 4 6% 5 9% 13 21%
SAN DIEGO ENTEROCOCCUS EXCEEDANCE RATES
USING TWO DIFFERENT METHODS
32 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
OREGON COUNTY SUMMARIES
II WEST COAST SUMMARY
Note: All averages below refer to the five-year-average unless otherwise indicated.
Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality monitors water quality at ocean beaches between Memorial Day and Labor Day and tests for one fecal indicator bacteria, Enterococcus. This is in contrast to California, which requires three indicator bacteria to be tested from April 1 to October 31 every year. Funding for ocean beach monitoring in Oregon comes entirely from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act (BEACH Act).
Most years, we are unable to grade the majority of Oregon beaches due to a lack of sampling. Our methodology requires that beaches must be sampled for at least 75% of the weeks in their summer season — defined as Memorial Day through Labor Day. We encourage the State of Oregon to provide
additional funding for increased ocean water quality monitoring to meet this minimum requirement and be more protective of public health. No Oregon beaches were monitored frequently enough to receive a Summer Dry Grade, and no beaches were monitored during the winter months. Only six counties received Wet Weather grades, and only 61% of the beaches received A and B grades, which is lower than the state’s historical average of 73%. This is the second straight year we have not been able to issue Summer Dry grades, which is a major disappointment.
We urge Oregon officials to devote more resources to beach monitoring because people deserve to know when and where they might be exposed to sewage pollution.
Seaside Beach / Clatsop County
33 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY OREGON COUNTY SUMMARIES
OREGON
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 38 59%
B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 2%
C NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 7 11%
D NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 9 14%
F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 9 14%
A+B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 39 61%
C,D,F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 25 39%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 6 92% NO DATA NO DATA 12 66%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 8%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 7%
D 0 4% NO DATA NO DATA 1 4%
F 0 4% NO DATA NO DATA 3 16%
A+B 6 92% NO DATA NO DATA 13 73%
C,D,F 1 8% NO DATA NO DATA 5 27%
CLATSOP COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 7 70%
B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 10%
D NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 10%
F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 10%
A+B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 7 70%
C,D,F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 3 30%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 2 100% NO DATA NO DATA 2 58%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 5%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 5%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 5%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 26%
A+B 2 100% NO DATA NO DATA 2 63%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 37%
COOS COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 8 89%
B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 11%
D NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 8 89%
C,D,F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 11%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 1 100% NO DATA NO DATA 1 43%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 29%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 7%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 7%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 14%
A+B 1 100% NO DATA NO DATA 2 71%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 29%
LINCOLN COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 12 60%
B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 2 10%
D NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 3 15%
F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 3 15%
A+B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 12 60%
C,D,F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 8 40%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 2 82% NO DATA NO DATA 5 76%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 6%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 9%
D 0 9% NO DATA NO DATA 0 6%
F 0 9% NO DATA NO DATA 0 3%
A+B 2 82% NO DATA NO DATA 5 82%
C,D,F 1 18% NO DATA NO DATA 1 18%
34 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Seaside / Clatsop County
II WEST COAST SUMMARY OREGON COUNTY SUMMARIES
Heceta Head Lighthouse / Lane County / photo: Rick Obst
LANE COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 2 50%
B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 2 50%
D NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 2 50%
C,D,F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 2 50%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 57%
B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 43%
A+B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 57%
C,D,F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 43%
CURRY COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 3 100%
A+B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C,D,F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 3 100%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 25%
B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 75%
A+B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 0 25%
C,D,F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 75%
TILLAMOOK COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 9 53%
B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 6%
C NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 1 6%
D NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 4 24%
F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 2 12%
A+B NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 10 59%
C,D,F NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA 7 41%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 1 100% NO DATA NO DATA 2 92%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 8%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 1 100% NO DATA NO DATA 2 92%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 8%
35 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
WASHINGTON COUNTY
SUMMARIES
II WEST COAST SUMMARY
Note: All averages below refer to the five-year-average unless otherwise indicated.
Washington’s Department of Ecology monitors water quality at ocean beaches between Memorial Day and Labor Day and tests for one fecal indicator bacteria, Enterococcus. This is in contrast to California, which requires three indicator bacteria to be tested from April 1 to October 31 every year. Approximately 80% of the funding for ocean beach monitoring in the State comes from the BEACH Act, and the remaining 20% of funding comes from the U.S. EPA’s National Estuary Program’s Pathogen Prevention, Reduction, and Control Grant.
The Makah Tribe in Clallam County also conducts beach monitoring through separate BEACH Program Tribal funding. Unlike the rest of the state, the Makah Tribe monitors beaches on a weekly basis. We commend the Makah Tribe for their robust monitoring, and we call on the Washington Department of Ecology to increase monitoring across the rest of the state.
Summer Dry Grades were excellent with 98% of the beaches receiving A and B grades, which is above the average of 93%.
Wet Weather Grades were equally outstanding and above
average with 97% of beaches receiving A and B grades.
The Makah Tribe is the only entity that monitors beaches in the winter months so Makah monitored beaches are usually the only ones to receive Winter Dry Grades. Unfortunately, we were not able to obtain Makah Tribe winter monitoring data in time to create this report so we do not have any Winter Dry Grades to report. We hope to resolve this issue in the future.
Point No Point Beach / Kitsap County
WASHINGTON
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 111 94% NO DATA NO DATA 166 97%
B 5 4% NO DATA NO DATA 1 1%
C 2 2% NO DATA NO DATA 2 1%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 2 1%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 1%
A+B 116 98% NO DATA NO DATA 167 97%
C,D,F 2 2% NO DATA NO DATA 5 3%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 137 90% NO DATA NO DATA 122 91%
B 5 3% NO DATA NO DATA 4 3%
C 4 3% NO DATA NO DATA 4 3%
D 4 2% NO DATA NO DATA 2 1%
F 4 2% NO DATA NO DATA 3 2%
A+B 142 93% NO DATA NO DATA 126 94%
C,D,F 11 7% NO DATA NO DATA 8 6%
36 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY WASHINGTON COUNTY SUMMARIES
SKAGIT COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 4 100% NO DATA NO DATA 4 100%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 4 100% NO DATA NO DATA 4 100%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 2 92% NO DATA NO DATA 2 73%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 7%
C 0 8% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 20%
A+B 2 92% NO DATA NO DATA 2 80%
C,D,F 0 8% NO DATA NO DATA 1 20%
KITSAP COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 27 100% NO DATA NO DATA 30 100%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 27 100% NO DATA NO DATA 30 100%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 31 92% NO DATA NO DATA 30 89%
B 1 3% NO DATA NO DATA 1 4%
C 0 1% NO DATA NO DATA 1 3%
D 1 4% NO DATA NO DATA 1 3%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 1%
A+B 32 95% NO DATA NO DATA 31 93%
C,D,F 2 5% NO DATA NO DATA 2 7%
CLALLAM COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 8 100% NO DATA NO DATA 9 100%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 8 100% NO DATA NO DATA 9 100%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 10 93% 8 100% 13 93%
B 1 6% 0 0% 1 7%
C 0 2% 0 0% 0 0%
D 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
F 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
A+B 11 98% 8 100% 14 100%
C,D,F 0 2% 0 0% 0 0%
SNOHOMISH COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 10 91% NO DATA NO DATA 21 100%
B 1 9% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 11 100% NO DATA NO DATA 21 100%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 14 95% NO DATA NO DATA 15 92%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 3%
C 0 3% NO DATA NO DATA 0 2%
D 0 1% NO DATA NO DATA 1 3%
F 0 1% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 14 95% NO DATA NO DATA 15 95%
C,D,F 1 5% NO DATA NO DATA 1 5%
37 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY WASHINGTON COUNTY SUMMARIES
WHATCOM COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 3 100% NO DATA NO DATA 9 75%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 2 17%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 8%
A+B 3 100% NO DATA NO DATA 9 75%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 3 25%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 2 42% NO DATA NO DATA 6 79%
B 1 13% NO DATA NO DATA 0 3%
C 1 13% NO DATA NO DATA 0 5%
D 0 8% NO DATA NO DATA 0 3%
F 1 25% NO DATA NO DATA 1 10%
A+B 3 54% NO DATA NO DATA 6 82%
C,D,F 2 46% NO DATA NO DATA 1 18%
ISLAND COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 3 60% NO DATA NO DATA 9 100%
B 2 40% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 5 100% NO DATA NO DATA 9 100%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 6 71% NO DATA NO DATA 8 92%
B 1 12% NO DATA NO DATA 0 3%
C 1 7% NO DATA NO DATA 0 3%
D 0 2% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 1 7% NO DATA NO DATA 0 3%
A+B 7 83% NO DATA NO DATA 9 94%
C,D,F 1 17% NO DATA NO DATA 1 6%
KING COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 9 100% NO DATA NO DATA 29 97%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 3%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 9 100% NO DATA NO DATA 29 97%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 3%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 21 91% NO DATA NO DATA 27 93%
B 1 3% NO DATA NO DATA 1 3%
C 0 2% NO DATA NO DATA 1 3%
D 0 2% NO DATA NO DATA 0 1%
F 1 3% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 21 94% NO DATA NO DATA 28 96%
C,D,F 1 6% NO DATA NO DATA 1 4%
JEFFERSON COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 12 100% NO DATA NO DATA 12 100%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 12 100% NO DATA NO DATA 12 100%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 5 73% NO DATA NO DATA 7 93%
B 0 6% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 6% NO DATA NO DATA 1 7%
D 1 9% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 6% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 5 79% NO DATA NO DATA 7 93%
C,D,F 1 21% NO DATA NO DATA 1 7%
38 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY WASHINGTON COUNTY SUMMARIES
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 25 98% NO DATA NO DATA 14 90%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 3%
C 0 1% NO DATA NO DATA 1 5%
D 0 1% NO DATA NO DATA 0 1%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 1%
A+B 25 98% NO DATA NO DATA 15 93%
C,D,F 0 2% NO DATA NO DATA 1 8%
PIERCE COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 17 94% NO DATA NO DATA 19 90%
B 1 6% NO DATA NO DATA 1 5%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 5%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 18 100% NO DATA NO DATA 20 95%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 1 5%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 2 80% NO DATA NO DATA 2 100%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 1 20% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 2 80% NO DATA NO DATA 2 100%
C,D,F 1 20% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
THURSTON COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 3 100% NO DATA NO DATA 6 100%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 3 100% NO DATA NO DATA 6 100%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 9 100% NO DATA NO DATA 9 100%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 9 100% NO DATA NO DATA 9 100%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
GRAY’S HARBOR COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 6 67% NO DATA NO DATA 9 100%
B 1 11% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 2 22% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 7 78% NO DATA NO DATA 9 100%
C,D,F 2 22% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
MASON COUNTY
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 9 100% NO DATA NO DATA 9 100%
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 9 100% NO DATA NO DATA 9 100%
C,D,F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 8 89% NO DATA NO DATA 7 100%
B 0 2% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
C 1 9% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
D 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
F 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
A+B 8 91% NO DATA NO DATA 7 100%
C,D,F 1 9% NO DATA NO DATA 0 0%
39 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
II WEST COAST SUMMARY
TIJUANA,MEXICO
SUMMARY
The Tijuana area has many beaches that are
important for recreation and tourism in a city of over
2 million people. We obtained weekly monitoring
data from the County of San Diego for three beaches
in the Tijuana area: Playa El Faro, Playa El Vigia, and Playa Blanca. During summer months when it’s dry,
El Vigia and El Faro received C grades while Playa
Blanca (the number one Beach Bummer) received an
F. The three Tijuana beaches received straight F’s for
all other grades, with the exception of El Faro, which
received a D for a Winter Dry grade.
These poor marks indicate a serious health risk to local beachgoers and spell trouble for the local tourism economy.
This stretch of coastline is heavily impacted by sewage pollution year-round, even during dry weather due to failing or insufficient sewage infrastructure. One major source of fecal contamination at Tijuana beaches is the Punta Bandera treatment plant located south of the city. This plant collects sewage from the city in several large ponds near the ocean, and periodically releases the untreated or partially treated sewage into the ocean.18 Prevailing ocean currents carry sewage pollution north to the Tijuana beaches as well as Imperial Beach. The USEPA is moving forward with plans to improve sewage infrastructure on both sides of the border that are expected to improve water quality in the area.19 However, the sewage infrastructure problems in the Tijuana River Watershed are complex and widespread so this should be seen as a first step.
18 https://wildcoast.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Issue-Briefing-Tijuana-River-Pollution.pdf 19 https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/tijuana-river-watershed-nepaimplementation photo: Cesar Bojorquez
5 YEAR AVERAGE Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA
B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA
C 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA
D 2 67% NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA
F 1 33% NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA
A+B 0 0% NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA
C,D,F 3 100% NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA NO DATA
TIJUANA, MEXICO
2022–2023 Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
GRADE # % # % # %
A 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
B 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
C 2 67% 0 0% 0 0%
D 0 0% 1 33% 0 0%
F 1 33% 2 67% 3 100%
A+B 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
C,D,F 3 100% 3 100% 3 100%
40 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
BEACH NEWS
Mission Bay Park / San Diego County
41 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
III BEACH NEWS
Efforts to Weaken Water Quality
Objectives
Heal the Bay has been at the forefront of ensuring water quality protections for visitors to West Coast beaches
since our founding. Our goals and motivations have
always been to protect the public and the environment
from the harmful impacts of sewage pollution. Heal the
Bay supported mandated beach monitoring through
AB 411 (Wayne, 1997); we have advocated for millions of dollars in investments for water quality improvements;
our Beach Report Card has spurred local action to
improve water quality; and most recently, we prompted
the state to define freshwater recreation sites and
develop guidance on monitoring them for fecal pollution through our sponsorship of AB 1066 (Bloom, 2021).
Alarmingly, we have observed an increase in the
number of attempts to loosen or rollback fecal pollution regulations in California. When waterways become
polluted with contaminants such as FIB, the USEPA holds the surrounding municipalities and pollution producing
facilities responsible for that pollution and requires
them to keep contaminants out of our waterways or
face penalties. Unfortunately, we have seen the entities responsible for pollution in our waterways try to weaken the standards they are held to in order to achieve
compliance more readily. Municipalities are claiming
with increased frequency that they are only responsible for fecal pollution originating from human bodies, which inappropriately disregards fecal pollution from indirect human activities such as pets, livestock, and certain
flocks of birds, which contribute fecal contamination to our watersheds as a result of human activity. Human
fecal waste does pose the largest health risk to humans, but research has shown that fecal matter from other
animals is also hazardous to human health.20 Heal
the Bay is adamantly against the efforts to circumvent
20https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352352220300451 California’s water quality objectives, and we urge the
State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to firmly
reassert that local governments and other pollution
dischargers are responsible for keeping all fecal matter originating from human activities out of the ocean and
waterways. Some recent efforts to weaken water quality
restrictions include:
• In September 2022, The SWRCB hosted the
California Bacteria Summit, which was co-hosted
by the California Stormwater Quality Association
(CASQA).21 CASQA is effectively a lobbying alliance
that represents the interests of the municipalities
responsible for keeping pollution out of the water.
The summit was comprehensive, but a significant
amount of time was spent discussing strategies
that would allow municipalities and pollution
dischargers to get off the hook for fecal pollution.
Heal the Bay and other groups boycotted
the Bacteria Summit because the organizers
failed to include many crucial stakeholders
in their discussion such as Indigenous and
environmental justice organizations. The SWRCB
did acknowledge this shortcoming and is in the
process of planning a second summit that will
include Indigenous, environmental justice, and
nonprofit organizations.
• Under the Clean Water Act of 1972, some polluted
waterbodies have limits on the amount of pollution
that can be discharged into them. These limits are
called Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL), and they
are defined as the maximum amount of pollution
that a waterbody can handle before people get
sick, aquatic life is harmed, or other beneficial uses
are impacted. A local government is usually given
20 to 30 years to achieve compliance with a TMDL.
San Diego County has numerous bacterial TMDLs
in place for its beaches, and the local government
agencies responsible for those TMDLs recently
sought an extension for the compliance deadline at
21 https://www.casqa.org/
42 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
III BEACH NEWS
20 beaches. In addition to the extended deadline,
the responsible parties sought to adjust their
interim milestones to only include fecal matter from
human bodies, which is not health protective. San
Diego County municipalities have actually made
a lot of progress towards reaching the TMDLs
set for their beaches so we are confused and
disappointed as to why they are taking this strategy.
Keeping Our Ocean Safe and Clean
The good news about water quality at our beaches
is that we know how to reduce the most common
inputs of fecal pollution. A watershed-wide naturebased approach is our best bet for keeping our waters clean and safe in addition to sewage infrastructure
upgrades. Green infrastructure spaced throughout our
communities will provide cleaner water; green space
for communities to enjoy; and habitat for wildlife. Los Angeles County has created a model program for
improving coastal and inland water quality using a
multi-benefit approach. In 2018, Los Angeles County
voters set Measure W into law, which created the
Safe, Clean Water Program.22 This funding program
aims to increase local water supply, improve water
quality, and protect public health by focusing efforts on multi-benefit projects in communities that have been
identified as severely disadvantaged with regards
to access to green space and other socioeconomic
factors. Multi-benefit projects are an efficient and
effective use of our taxpayer dollars that serve both
community and environmental needs. Programs such
as this will be increasingly important for creating
local water supplies as climate whiplash and drought
conditions in California continue to worsen. The Los
Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved $1
billion in stormwater investments for 144 projects under the Safe, Clean Water Program to date.
22https://safecleanwaterla.org/
Funding Shoreline Monitoring
Programs
The U.S. EPA’s Beaches Environmental Assessment and
Coastal Health Act23 (BEACH Act) was passed in 2000
and provides funding for recreational water quality
monitoring at ocean and Great Lakes beaches. Some
states, such as Oregon, rely solely on this funding to
sustain their monitoring program. Without the BEACH
Act funding, many states would abandon their beach
monitoring programs, which would be devastating
to public health. Millions of people could get sick
by unknowingly exposing themselves to poor water
quality. The economic cost would also be severe as
coastal recreation and tourism generates well over
$100 billion annually.24
Unfortunately, the amount of money Congress
allocates to the BEACH Act has not increased
significantly since it was adopted in 2000. The Federal Government must increase funding for the BEACH
Act so coastal states can keep their communities
and visitors safe and healthy. Surfrider Foundation
is leading the effort to increase federal spending for
water quality monitoring.25
We also urge states like Oregon to take local action to maintain a robust recreational water quality program
moving forward. California funds statewide beach
monitoring programs with BEACH Act resources as
well as Senate Bill 482 (SB 482, Kehoe 2011), which
funds two-thirds of the non-regulatory based shoreline
monitoring in the State. SB 482 allocation is overseen
by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
However, the funds provided are not sufficient as there are many beaches that do not get monitored, and
many counties do not conduct monitoring year round.
23https://www.epa.gov/beach-tech/about-beach-act
24https://coast.noaa.gov/data/digitalcoast/pdf/econ-report.pdf 25https://www.surfrider.org/pages/support-clean-water-programs-in-epas-fy2023-budget 43 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
III BEACH NEWS
NowCast Update
For the ninth summer, Heal the Bay is providing daily
water quality predictions for California beaches at
the Beach Report Card with NowCast website and
application. NowCast predicts concentrations of
bacteria in the water on a daily basis, thus providing
additional information to the public and filling in the time gaps of traditional bacteria sampling. To make
daily predictions, we use computer models to examine
correlations between environmental conditions (such
as temperature and tide) and historical bacteria
concentrations. Our NowCast models then predict with
a high accuracy how much bacteria is present in the
water given the current local conditions and are verified with sampling data. Visit beachreportcard.org26 to find daily summer predictions for 20 beaches in California.
The Beach Report Card with NowCast app is available
for free on iOS27 and Android28 devices.
Justice 40 Initiative
In 2022, the Biden Administration created the Justice
40 Initiative which will redirect up to 40% of certain
government funds to investments in disadvantaged
communities.29 This Initiative prompted the USEPA to
create a list of California beaches that are near working class communities with high proportions of residents
that identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, or
other people of color. Thus far, we do not know how
the list will be used by the USEPA, but it will potentially serve as a tool to prioritize water quality improvement projects and monitoring in the future. Heal the Bay is
sharing feedback and recommendations with USEPA
in order to ensure that beaches are accurately and
equitably prioritized based on demographics of actual
visitors, accessibility, amenities, water quality, and more. 26https://beachreportcard.org/
27 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/beach-report-card/id472446703 28https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.healthebay.brc&pli=1 29https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/ The Beach Report Card and Access to
Recreation
Recreation, whether it be at a park or a beach, is
vital to good quality of life and public health. While
we believe the Beach Report Card and River Report
Card programs are important tools for keeping water
recreators safe, we must acknowledge that the report
cards have, thus far, been limited in scope. Our report cards are only useful for individuals who have access
to recreation areas and folks who are comfortable
going in the water. Working class communities that are
majority Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other
people of color experience many barriers when it
comes to accessing recreational spaces and activities.
These barriers include an inability to take time off from work; physical distance from recreation opportunities;
and a lack of exposure to certain types of recreation,
among many others. We believe it is an inherent right
for everyone to have access to recreation opportunities and spaces regardless of their identity, and therefore, we need to reduce and remove barriers to recreation.
We acknowledge that recreation justice has been a
major shortcoming in our work. Heal the Bay is
currently taking steps to expand the user base of our
Beach and River Report cards by working with
organizations that are taking down barriers to water
recreation for working class communities of color.
44 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
For the last decade, Heal the Bay began teaming up
with organizations such as The Black Surfers
Collective,30 Surf Bus Foundation,31 Santa Monica
Conservancy,32 and Swim Up Hill33 to celebrate Nick
Gabaldón — a trailblazing surfer of African American
and Mexican American descent and the first
30http://www.blacksurferscollective.org/
31 https://www.surfbusfoundation.org/
32https://www.smconservancy.org/
33https://www.swimuphill.org/
III BEACH NEWS
documented surfer of color in Santa Monica Bay. Nick
Gabaldón Day introduces people young and old from
inland communities to the magic of the coast through
free surf and ocean safety lessons, beach ecology
exploration, and a history lesson about a man who
followed his passion and a community who challenged
anti-Black discrimination to enjoy the beach. Heal the
Bay will continue to celebrate Nick Gabaldón Day, and
we will continue to look for opportunities to expand
access to beach recreation.
Nick Gabaldón Day /
Santa Monica Beach
45 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
IV APPENDICES
appendices 2022-2023
A // BEACH BUMMER HISTORY........................................................46 B // ALL GRADES BY COUNTY..........................................................48 C // FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS..........................................66 D // METHODOLOGY ...........................................................................68 E // ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..............................................................70 Emerald Bay, Catalina Island / Los Angeles County
46 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
2012–2013 2013–2014 2014–2015 2015–2016
Avalon Catalina Island
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Cowell Beach, west of the wharf
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Cowell Beach, west of the wharf
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Cowell Beach, west of the wharf
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Cowell Beach, west of the wharf
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Marina Lagoon,
Aquatic Park & Lakeshore Park
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Marina del Rey, Mother’s Beach,
between Lifeguard Tower and Boat dock
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Clam Beach, at Strawberry Creek
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
Poche Beach
ORANGE COUNTY
Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach,
between Lifeguard Tower and Boat dock
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Clam Beach, at Strawberry Creek
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
San Diego Bay Shelter Island, Shoreline
Beach Park
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Cabrillo Beach Harborside
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Cabrillo Beach Harborside l
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Aquatic Park
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Monarch Beach, at Salt Creek
ORANGE COUNTY
Malibu Pier
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Stillwater Cove
MONTEREY COUNTY
Mission Bay, Visitor’s Center at Clairemont Dr.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Santa Monica Pier
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Marina Lagoon,
Aquatic Park & Lakeshore Park
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Clam Beach, at Strawberry Creek
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
Santa Monica Pier
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach,
between Lifeguard Tower and Boat dock
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Doheny State Beach, at San Juan Creek
ORANGE COUNTY
Santa Monica Pier
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Candlestick Point, Sunnydale Cove
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
Redondo Municipal Pier, 100 yards south
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Redondo Beach Pier
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Pillar Point Harbor, at Westpoint Ave.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Stillwater Cove, at Beach and Tennis Club
MONTEREY COUNTY
Candlestick Point Sunnydale Cove
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
Windsurfer Circle
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
Capitola Beach, west of jetty l
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Cabrillo Beach Harborside
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Pillar Point Harbor, end of Westpoint Ave.
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Tijuana River Mouth
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Windsurfer Circle
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
Huntington State Beach, projection of
Brookhurst Street
ORANGE COUNTY
Pismo Beach Pier, 40 feet south of the pier
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
Last 10 Years Beach Bummers: 2012–2022
IV APPENDIX / A BEACH BUMMER HISTORY
F
Candlestick Point / San Francisco County
47 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
2019–2020 2020–2021 2021–2022
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, at San Vicente Creek Outlet
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Tijuana Slough NWRS, Tijuana River mouth
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Playa Blanca
TIJUANA
Poche Beach, at Creek Outlet
ORANGE COUNTY
Erckenbrack Park, Foster City
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Erckenbrack Park, Foster City
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Pillar Point Harbor, at Capistrano Ave.
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Capitola Beach, west of jetty.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Marlin Park, Foster City
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Erckenbrack Park, Foster City
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Gull Park, Foster City
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Santa Monica Pier
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Topanga Beach, at Creek Outlet
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach, between Lifeguard Tower
and Boat dock
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach, at Lifeguard Tower
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Pillar Point Harbor Beach
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Tijuana Slough NWRS, 3/4 miles north of Tijuana River
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Moonstone County Park (Little River State Beach)
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
Linda Mar, at San Pedro Creek Outlet
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Clam Beach County Park, at Strawberry Creek
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
Newport Bay, Vaughns Launch
ORANGE COUNTY
Mission Bay, Vacation Isle North Cove
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Marlin Park, Foster City
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Lakeshore Park, behind Rec Center
SAN MATEO COUNTY
San Clemente Pier
ORANGE COUNTY
Candlestick Point, Windsurfer Circle
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach, between Lifeguard Tower
and Boat dock
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Pillar Point Harbor, at Westpoint Ave.
SAN MATEO COUNTY
East Beach, at Mission Creek
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Tijuana Slough, north of Tijuana River
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
IV APPENDIX / A BEACH BUMMER HISTORY
2016–2017 2017–2018 2018–2019
Clam Beach, at Strawberry Creek
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
Poche Beach, at creek outlet
ORANGE COUNTY
San Clemente Pier
ORANGE COUNTY
San Clemente Pier
ORANGE COUNTY
Lakeshore Park, behind Rec Center
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Clam Beach, at Strawberry Creek
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
Cowell Beach, west of the wharf
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Linda Mar Beach, at San Pedro Creek
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Linda Mar Beach, at San Pedro Creek
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Newport Bay Abalone Avenue Beach
ORANGE COUNTY
Clam Beach, at Strawberry Creek
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
Long Beach City Beach, projection of Coronado Ave.
LOS ANGELESCOUNTY
Lakeshore Park, behind Rec Center
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Roosevelt Beach, south end of parking lot
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Cowell Beach, west of the wharf
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
La Jolla Cove
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Luffenholtz Beach, near Luffenholtz Creek
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
Monarch Beach, at Salt Creek
ORANGE COUNTY
Santa Monica Pier
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Santa Monica Pier
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Marina del Rey, Mother’s Beach,
between Lifeguard Tower and Boat dock
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Capitola Beach, west of jetty
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Cowell Beach, west of the wharf
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Cabrillo Beach Harborside
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Luffenholtz Beach, near Luffenholtz Creek
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
Cabrillo Beach Harborside
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Keller Beach South Beach
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach,
between Lifeguard Tower and Boat dock
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Surfer’s Beach, southend of riprap
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Aquatic Park
SAN MATEO COUNTY
F
48 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Summer Dry
Grade
Winter Dry
Grade
Wet Weather
Grade
ALAMEDA COUNTY
Crown Beach, at Bath House A A
Crown Beach, at Windsurfer Corner A+ A
Crown Beach, at Sunset Rd. A+ A
Crown Beach, at 2001 Shoreline Dr. A B
Crown Beach, at Bird Sanctuary A F
Crown Beach, Crab Cove B F
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Keller Beach, North Beach A A+
Keller Beach, South Beach A A
DEL NORTE COUNTY
Crescent City, Battery Point Lighthouse A+ B
HUMBOLDT COUNTY
Trinidad State Beach, at Mill Creek A C
Luffenholtz Beach, at Luffenholtz Creek D D
Moonstone County Park C B
Clam Beach County Park, at Strawberry Creek F B
Mad River Mouth A+ A
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Long Beach City Beach, at 55th Place A C
Long Beach City Beach, at 72nd Place A D
Alamitos Bay, at shore float A+ F
Long Beach Mothers' Beach, north A F
Colorado Lagoon, south A F
Colorado Lagoon, north A F
Alamitos Bay, at 56th Place on bayside A+ F
Long Beach City Beach, at 5th Place A A F
Long Beach City Beach, at 10th Place A A F
Long Beach City Beach, at Molino Av. B B F
Long Beach City Beach, at Granada Av. B D
Alamitos Bay, at 2nd St. Bridge and Bayshore A F
Long Beach City Beach, at Coronado Ave. B A F
Belmont Pier, west side B A F
Long Beach City Beach, at Prospect Ave. C D
Cabrillo Beach, harborside at boat launch A B D
Cabrillo Beach, harborside at restrooms B C D
Malibu Pier, 50 yards east of pier A+ A+
Malibu Point A A+
Santa Monica Beach, at Strand St. A+ D
Venice City Beach, at Brooks Ave. drain A+ A+
Venice Beach, 50 yards south of Fishing Pier A+ B
Venice Beach, at Topsail St. A F
Marina del Rey Mothers' Beach, at playground B F F
Marina del Rey Mothers' Beach, between Lifeguard Tower and Boat dock F F F Dockweiler State Beach, at World Way A+ A+
Hyperion Treatment Plant, at One Mile Outfall A+ B
Dockweiler State Beach, at Grand Ave. A+ F
Hermosa City Beach, at 26th Street A+ A+
IV APPENDIX / B CALIFORNIA GRADES BY COUNTY
(CONTINUED)
49 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Redondo State Beach, at Topaz Street A+ D
Avalon Beach, 50 feet east of the Green Pleasure Pier A Avalon Beach, 50 feet west of the Green Pleasure Pier A Avalon Beach, 100 feet west of the Green Pleasure Pier A Avalon Beach, east of the Casino Arch at the steps A
Manhattan Beach, at 28th Street A C F
Herondo Street (Redondo Breakwater) A A F
Rancho Palos Verdes, Long Point A A A
Rancho Palos Verdes, Abalone Cove Shoreline Park A+ A+ A Rancho Palos Verdes, Portuguese Bend Cove A A+ B
Royal Palms State Beach A A A
Cabrillo Beach, ocean side A A+ A
Palos Verdes Estates, at Palos Verdes Cove A A A
Palos Verdes Estates, at Malaga Cove rocks A B C
Surfrider Beach, at lagoon breach A D F
Dockweiler State Beach, at Culver Blvd. A A+ F
Manhattan State Beach, at 40th Street A A B
Hermosa Beach Pier, 50 yards south of pier B A C
Palos Verdes Estates, at Malaga Cove trail outlet A B C Topanga Beach, at creek mouth B D F
Marina del Rey Mothers' Beach, at lifeguard tower D F F Leo Carrillo Beach, at Arroyo Sequit Creek A+ A+
Dan Blocker County Beach, at Solstice Canyon A+ A B
Puerco State Beach, at creek mouth A+ C
Marie Canyon storm drain, at Puerco Beach A C F
Carbon Beach, at Sweetwater Canyon A+ A+ D
Las Flores State Beach, at Las Flores Creek A+ A+ F
Las Tunas County Beach, at Pena Creek A+ A+ F
Tuna Canyon A+
Broad Beach, at Trancas Creek A A+
Zuma Beach, at Zuma Creek A+ A+
Walnut Creek Outlet, at Wildlife Road A+ A F
Paradise Cove Pier, at Ramirez Canyon Creek A+ F
Escondido State Beach, at Escondido Creek A+ D D
Latigo Canyon Creek mouth A A+
Castle Rock Beach, at storm drain B A F
Dockweiler State Beach, at North Weschester storm drain A+ A D Dockweiler State Beach, at Imperial Highway storm drain A+ A D Will Rogers State Beach, at Pulga Canyon storm drain A+ A+ F Will Rogers State Beach, Bel Air Bay Club A A+
Will Rogers State Beach, at Temescal Canyon A A+
Will Rogers State Beach, at Santa Monica Canyon A F F
Santa Monica Beach, at Montana Ave. A+ B
Santa Monica Beach, at Wilshire Blvd. A F
Santa Monica Pier F F F
Santa Monica Beach, at Pico-Kenter storm drain A F F
Ocean Park Beach, at Ashland Ave. storm drain A A F
Venice Beach, at Rose Ave. A+ A F
IV APPENDIX / B CALIFORNIA GRADES BY COUNTY
(CONTINUED)
50 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Venice Beach, at Windward Ave. A A F
Nicholas Beach, at San Nicholas Canyon Creek A+
Manhattan Beach Pier B A C
Redondo Beach Pier, 100 yards south of pier C B F
Redondo State Beach, at Sapphire Street B B B
Torrance Beach, at Avenue I storm drain A A C
Dockweiler State Beach, at Ballona Creek mouth A C
MARIN COUNTY
Dillon Beach A+ A+
Millerton Point A+ A+
Drakes Beach A A+
Drakes Estero A+ A+
Bolinas Beach, at Wharf Rd. A A+
Stinson Beach, North A+ A+
Stinson Beach, Central A+ A+
Stinson Beach, South A+ A+
Lawson's Landing A C
Muir Beach, North A+ A+
Muir Beach, Central A+ A+
Muir Beach, South A+ A+
Rodeo Beach, North A+ A+
Rodeo Beach, Central A+ A+
Rodeo Beach, South A+ A+
Baker Beach, Horseshoe Cove South West A+ A+
Baker Beach, Horseshoe Cove North West A A+
Baker Beach, Horseshoe Cove North East A A
Schoonmaker Beach A+ A+
Miller Park A A+
Paradise Cove A+ A+
China Camp A A+
McNears Beach A A+
Heart's Desire A A+
Shell Beach A+ A+
Chicken Ranch Beach, at Creek mouth A A+
MENDOCINO COUNTY
Pudding Creek Outlet B A
Hare Creek A A+
Caspar Beach, at Caspar Creek A+ A+
Big River at PCH A+ A+
Van Damme State Park, at Little River A A+
MONTEREY COUNTY
San Carlos Beach, at San Carlos Beach Park A A+
Lover's Point Park, at 16th Street A A+
Asilomar State Beach, at Arena Av. A A+
Spanish Bay (Moss Beach), at 17 mile drive A+ A+
Stillwater Cove, at Beach and Tennis Club A+ F
Carmel City Beach, at Ocean Ave. A A+
IV APPENDIX / B CALIFORNIA GRADES BY COUNTY
51 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
ORANGE COUNTY
Dana Point Harbor Fuel Dock A+ A+
Dana Point Harbor Pier A A+
Dana Point Harbor Baby Beach, West End A C
Dana Point Harbor Baby Beach, Buoy Line A A+
Dana Point Harbor Baby Beach, Swim Area A A+
Dana Point Harbor Baby Beach, East End A A+
Dana Point Harbor, Pilgrim Dock A A+
Dana Point Harbor Youth Dock A+ A+
Huntington Harbor, 11th Street Beach A+ F
Huntington Harbour, Anaheim Bay-Gas Dock A+ A+
Huntington Harbor, Humboldt Beach A F
Huntington Harbor, Seagate Lagoon A+ C
Huntington Harbour, Admiralty Drive Beach A+ F
Huntington Harbor, Trinidad Lane Beach A F
Huntington Harbour, Channel Beach A F
Huntington Harbor, Mothers Beach-Orange County A F
Huntington Harbor, Coral Cay Beach A+ F
Newport Bay, Park Avenue Beach A+ C A+
Newport Bay, Onyx Avenue Beach A A+
Newport Bay, Ruby Avenue Beach A+ A+
Newport Bay, Bayshore Beach B A+
Newport Bay, Via Genoa Beach A A+
Newport Bay, 43rd Street Beach B A+
Newport Bay, 38th Street Beach A+ A+
Newport Bay, 33rd Street Beach A B B
Newport Bay, Rhine Channel Beach A A+
Newport Bay, 19th Street Beach A A+
Newport Bay, 15th Street Beach A A+
Newport Bay, 10th Street Beach A A+
Newport Bay, Alvarado/Bay Isle Beach A A+
Newport Bay, Sapphire Avenue Beach A A+
Newport Bay, Abalone Avenue Beach B A+
Newport Bay, N Street Beach A A+
Newport Bay, Newport Dunes-East A B A+
Newport Bay, Newport Dunes-Middle A A+
Newport Bay, Newport Dunes-North A B A+
Newport Bay, Newport Dunes-West A A+
Newport Bay, North Star Beach A A+
Newport Bay, Promontory Point A+ A+
Newport Bay, De Anza Beach A+ A+
Newport Bay, Garnet Avenue Beach A A+
Newport Bay, Lido Yacht Club Beach A+ A+
Newport Bay, Harbor Patrol Beach at Bayside Drive B A+
Newport Bay, Grand Canal A+
Newport Bay, Newport Blvd Bridge A A+
Newport Slough at Lancaster/62nd Street Beach A F
Newport Slough, Grand Street Beach A+ B
IV APPENDIX / B CALIFORNIA GRADES BY COUNTY
(CONTINUED)
52 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Dana Point Harbor, Harbor Patrol Dock A D
Dana Point Harbor Guest Dock A A+
Dana Point Harbor, M Dock (East Basin) A C
Huntington Harbour, Clubhouse Marina A+ A+
Huntington Harbour, Sunset Aquatic Park Beach A F
Huntington Harbor, Davenport Beach A+ F
Huntington Harbour, Anderson Street Marina A F
Dana Point, at Camino Estrella A+
Dana Point, South Capistrano Bay Community Beach A A+
Poche Beach A F
Diver's Cove A+ A+
Pico drain at North Beach B A+
Linda Lane Beach A+
San Clemente Pier A
Riviera Beach A+
Cleo Street A+ A+
Aliso Creek Ocean Interface A A F
West Street A+ A+ C
San Juan Creek B F F
Doheny Beach A A F
Poche Creek Outlet F F
Little Corona Beach A+ A F
Monarch Beach at north C B
Doheny State Beach, North Beach A F F
Doheny State Beach, End of the Park A+ A+ F
San Clemente Trafalgar Canyon A
Pelican Point Beach A+ A B
Muddy Creek Beach A+ A+ D
El Moro Beach A+ A+
Emerald Bay Beach A+ A+
Laguna Main Beach A A+
Laguna Hotel A A+
Projection of Bluebird Canyon A+ A+
Victoria Beach A+ A+
Doheny State Beach, at San Juan Creek A A F
Doheny State Beach, at Last Campground A+ A F
Laguna Beach, at Goff Island Beach A+ A+ A
Corona Del Mar A+ A+ B
2000 feet south of SERRA Outfall A B F
Crystal Cove A+ A+ A
Marine Science Institute Beach A+ A+
Dana Point, Capistrano County Beach A+
Doheny State Beach, Pedestrian Bridge A+ A+ F
Doheny State Beach, Mid Beach north of San Juan Creek A+ A F Dana Strands Beach A+ A+
Huntington State Beach, at Brookhurst Street A A C
Huntington State Beach, at Magnolia Street A A C
Huntington State Beach, at Newland St. A A+ B
IV APPENDIX / B CALIFORNIA GRADES BY COUNTY
(CONTINUED)
53 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Huntington City Beach, at Beach Blvd. A+ A+ A
Huntington City Beach, at Huntington St. A+ A+ B
Huntington City Beach, at 17th Street A A+ C
Huntington City Beach, at Bluffs A+ A+ C
Bolsa Chica Reserve, at south end of beach A+ A+ A
Bolsa Chica Reserve, at Flood Gates A+ B A
Crescent Bay Beach A+ A+
Santa Ana River Mouth A A F
Newport Beach, at Orange Street A A F
Newport Beach, at 52nd/53rd Street A+ A F
Newport Beach, at 38th Street A+ A+ F
Balboa Beach, at 15th/16th Street A A+ F
Balboa Beach Pier A+ A+ B
Balboa Beach, The Wedge A+ A+ B
Crystal Cove at Los Trancos A+ A A
Surfside Beach, at Sea Way A+ A+ A
Seal Beach, at 1st Street A A+
Seal Beach, at 8th Street A A+ F
Seal Beach, at 14th Street A A+ C
Seal Beach Pier, 100 yards south of pier A A F
San Clemente, North beach at Avenida Pico A+
San Clemente, South Linda Lane storm drain A+
San Clemente Pier, Lifeguard Building north A+
San Clemente, at Avenida Calafia A+
Salt Creek Beach A A+
Three Arch Bay A+ A A
1000 Steps Beach, at 9th St. A+ A+ A
Laguna Lido A+ A+ A
Table Rock A+ A+ B
Camel Point A+ A+ B
Aliso Creek, 1000 south of creek mouth A+ A D
Aliso Creek, at mouth A A+ C
North Aliso County Beach A+ A+ B
Treasure Island Beach A+ A A
Monarch Beach, 150 feet north of Salt Creek mouth A A+
Sunset Beach, at Broadway A A+ B
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Coronado, at North Beach near Ocean Blvd. A F
San Diego Bay, Tidelands Park at Mullinix Dr. B F
San Diego Bay, Glorietta Bay Park at boat launch F
San Diego Bay, Spanish Landing Park beach F
San Diego Bay, Shelter Island (Shoreline Beach Park) C F Pacific Beach, at Grand Ave. A+ A+
La Jolla, at Palomar Av. A A+
Windansea Beach, at Playa Del Norte A A+
La Jolla, at Vista De La Playa A+ A+
La Jolla Ravina, south of Nicholson Pt. A+ A+
La Jolla, South Casa Beach A A+
IV APPENDIX / B CALIFORNIA GRADES BY COUNTY
(CONTINUED)
54 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
La Jolla, projection of Vallecitos A+
La Jolla Shores Beach, Del Oro A A+
La Jolla Shores, El Paseo Grande A A+
Del Mar, San Dieguito River Beach A A+
Encinitas, San Elijo State Park, Pipes surf break A
Encinitas, Moonlight Beach, Cottonwood Creek A+
Carlsbad, at Poinsettia Lane A+ A+ A
Carlsbad, at Poinsettia Lane A+ A
Carlsbad, at Ponto Drive A+ A
Carlsbad, at Encina Creek A+ A
Carlsbad, at Palomar Airport Rd. A+ A
Carlsbad, at Cerezo Drive A+ A
Ocean Beach, San Diego River outlet (Dog Beach) A+
Pacific Beach, Tourmaline Surf Park at Tourmaline St. A A+ La Jolla, Windansea Beach at Bonair St. A+ A+
La Jolla Shores, at Ave De La Playa A A+
Torrey Pines, Los Penasquitos Lagoon outlet A A+
Border Field State Park, north side of Border Fence B F F Border Field State Park, at Monument Rd. B F F
Tijuana Slough, Tijuana River mouth F F F
Tijuana Slough, north of Tijuana River B D F
Imperial Beach, at Seacoast Dr. B C F
Imperial Beach, at Carnation Ave. A A F
Coronado, Silver Strand A A+ F
Coronado, at Ave del Sol A A B
Oceanside, St. Malo Beach downcoast from St. Malo Road A+ C Oceanside, at Cassidy Street A+ A+ F
Oceanside, Buccaneer Beach at Loma Alta Creek F
Oceanside, 500 feet North of Loma Alta Creek A+ A+ F
Oceanside, at Forster Street A D
Oceanside, at Tyson Street A+ C
Oceanside, San Luis Rey River outlet B
Point Loma, Lighthouse A+ A+ A+
Point Loma, Point Loma Treatment Plant A+ A+ B
Sunset Cliffs, at Ladera Street A+ A A
Ocean Beach, Ocean Pier at Narragansett Ave. A+ A+ A
Ocean Beach Pier, northside at Newport Ave. A A+ B
Ocean Beach, Stub Jetty A A+ D
Mission Beach, Belmont Park A A+ A+
Solana Beach, Fletcher Cove A
Solana Beach, Tide Beach Park A
Cardiff State Beach, Seaside State Park A
Cardiff State Beach, Las Olas A
Cardiff State Beach Charthouse parking C
Encinitas, San Elijo State Park A+
IV APPENDIX / B CALIFORNIA GRADES BY COUNTY
55 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
IV APPENDIX / B CALIFORNIA GRADES BY COUNTY
Summer Dry
Grade
Winter Dry
Grade
Wet Weather
Grade
SAN DIEGO BEACH
Imperial Beach, projection of Cortez Ave. 83.2% 93.4% 100.0% Imperial Beach, Imperial Beach Pier 79.0% 92.0% 100.0%
Coronado, projection of Loma Ave. 50.0% 70.3% 80.0%
Coronado at North Beach (near navy fence at Ocean Blvd.) 52.3% 44.4% 90.0% San Diego Bay, Tidelands Park (at Mullinix Dr.) 72.2% 50.0% 50.0% San Diego Bay, Glorietta Bay Park at boat launch 100.0% San Diego Bay, Silver Strand 4.5% 36.8% 66.7%
Del Mar, projection of 15th Street 0.0% 100.0%
Del Mar, San Dieguito River Beach 100.0%
Del Mar Shores 0.0% 0.0%
Encinitas, Swami's Beach (Seacliff Park) 0.0% 0.0%
Carlsbad, Batiquitos Lagoon outlet 8.7% 47.4%
Carlsbad, projection of Carlsbad Village Drive 0.0% 0.0% Ocean Beach, San Diego River outlet (Dog Beach) 46.7% 100.0% Pacific Beach, Tourmaline Surf Park (at Tourmaline St.) 33.3% 0.0% La Jolla, La Jolla Cove 57.7% 58.3% 66.7%
La Jolla Shores, projection of Ave De La Playa 4.0% 16.7% 66.7% Torrey Pines, Los Penasquitos Lagoon outlet 10.3% 100.0% Tijuana Slough, Tijuana Rivermouth 85.0%
Imperial Beach, southend of Seacoast Dr. 85.1% 96.0% 100.0% Imperial Beach, projection of Carnation Ave. 72.0% 82.7% 100.0% Silver Strand - Guard Shack, Silver Strand State Beach 39.3% 71.6% 91.7% Silver Strand - Lifeguard Tower, Silver Strand State Beach 61.3% 87.5% 81.8% Coronado, Silver Strand 55.7% 84.4% 90.9%
Avenida Lunar, Coronado City beaches 25.3% 34.9% 87.5%
Mission Bay, Campland (west of Rose Creek) 25.0% 100.0% South Mission Beach Jetty 4.0% 0.0%
Mission Bay, Vacation Isle North Cove Beach 34.6% 33.3% Mission Point Park 33.3%
Oceanside, projection of Surfrider Way 4.2% 0.0%
Oceanside, San Luis Rey River outlet 25.0%
Oceanside, Harbor Beach (projection Harbor Dr.) 8.0% 0.0% Mission Beach, Belmont Park 0.0%
Cardiff State Beach, San Elijo Lagoon outlet 100.0%
56 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Pillar Point #9 Harbor Beach B B F
Surfer's Beach, south end of riprap A A D
Gull Park, Foster City F F F
Roosevelt Beach, south end of parking lot A A D
Dunes Beach A+ C
Venice Beach at Frenchman's Creek C F
Francis Beach at the foot of the steps A+ A+ B
San Gregorio State Beach at San Gregorio Creek B A B
Pomponio State Beach at Pomponio Creek A A B
Pescadero State Beach at Pescadero Creek A+ A A
Bean Hollow State Beach A+ A+ A+
Sharp Park Beach, projection of Birch Ln. A+ A+
Gazos Beach at Gazos Creek A B
Oyster Point A+ F
Coyote Point A A F
Aquatic Park B B F
Lakeshore Park, behind Rec Center D B F
Kiteboard Beach F
Erckenbrack Park, Foster City F D F
Marlin Park, Foster City F D F
Rockaway Beach, at Calera Creek A A+ A+
Linda Mar Beach, at San Pedro Creek F F F
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, at San Vicente Creek A A F
Pillar Point #8 Mavericks Beach Westpoint Ave. B A C
Pillar Point Harbor, end of Westpoint Ave. B B F
Pillar Point Harbor, Capistrano Ave Beach F F F
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Guadalupe Dunes A A
Hope Ranch Beach A+ B B
Arroyo Burro Beach A+ B F
Leadbetter Beach A A B
East Beach, at Mission Creek A+ B F
East Beach, at Sycamore Creek A+ A+ D
Butterfly Beach A+ B C
Hammond’s Beach A+ B C
Summerland Beach A+ A A
Carpinteria State Beach A A D
Jalama Beach A B
Gaviota State Beach A+ B
Refugio State Beach A A D
El Capitan State Beach A A+
Sands, at Coal Oil Point A+ A+ B
Goleta Beach A B C
IV APPENDIX / B CALIFORNIA GRADES BY COUNTY
57 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Cowell Beach, west of the wharf A A F
Santa Cruz Main Beach, at the Boardwalk B B F
Santa Cruz Main Beach, at the San Lorenzo River B F
Seabright Beach A A F
Twin Lakes Beach A C
Capitola Beach, west of jetty F F
Capitola Beach, east of jetty A D
New Brighton Beach A+ B
Seacliff State Beach A F
Rio Del Mar Beach A A
Natural Bridges State Beach A A+ C
Mitchell's Cove Beach A B F
Cowell Beach, at the Stairs A B
Cowell Beach Lifeguard Tower 1 B A D
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
Ocean Beach, at Pacheco St. D
Ocean Beach at Vicente St. F
Hyde Street Pier A+ A+ A
Aquatic Park Beach A+ A B
China Beach, at Sea Cliff Ave. A+ A+ A
Ocean Beach, at Balboa Ave. A+ A+ C
Ocean Beach, at Lincoln Way A+ A+ D
Ocean Beach, at Sloat Blvd. A+ A+ B
Candlestick Point, Jackrabbit Beach A A B
Candlestick Point, Windsurfer Circle A+ A+ F
Candlestick Point, Sunnydale Cove A A F
Islais Landing at Islais Creek A+ A F
Mission Creek Park, at Mission Creek A+ A F
Crissy Field Beach East A A C
Crissy Field Beach West A A+ D
Baker Beach East, Ocean A A+ A+
Baker Beach, Lobos Creek B A B
Baker Beach West A+ A+ A
IV APPENDIX / B CALIFORNIA GRADES BY COUNTY
58 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
Avila Beach 350 yards west of pier, at Creek B F
Avila Beach, at San Luis Street A A+
Studio Drive parking lot near Old Creek A A+
Cayucos State Beach, downcoast of the pier A+ A+
Cayucos Beach, North of pier at storm drain A+ A+
Hearst Memorial State Beach, 100 yards west of the pier at creek outfall A+ A+ Olde Port Beach (Harford Beach), North A B
Pismo Beach, at Ocean View A+ A+
Pismo Beach, 40 feet south of the pier A+ A+
Pismo Beach, at Wadsworth Street A+ A+
San Simeon State Beach, at Pico Ave. A+ A+
Sewers at Silver Shoals Dr. A A+
Morro Bay City Beach, 75 feet north of main parking lot A+ A+ Morro Bay City Beach, at Morro Creek A+ F
Morro Bay City Beach, at Atascadero A+ C
Morro Strand State Beach, at Beachcomber Drive A+ B
Pismo State Beach, 571 yards south of Pier Ave. A+ A+
Pismo State Beach, at Pier Ave. A+ A+
Pismo State Beach, 330 yards north of Pier Ave. A A+
SONOMA COUNTY
Gualala Regional Park Beach A+ A+
Black Point Beach A+ A+
Stillwater Cove Regional Park Beach A+ A+
Goat Rock State Park Beach A+ A
Salmon Creek State Park Beach A+ A+
Campbell Cove State Park Beach A B
Doran Regional Park Beach A+ A+
TIJUANA
Playas Blanca F F F
El Vigia C F F
El Faro C D F
IV APPENDIX / B CALIFORNIA GRADES BY COUNTY
59 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
VENTURA COUNTY
Rincon Beach, 25 yards south of the creek mouth A D D
Solimar Beach, south at end of gate access road A+ B D
Rincon Beach- at the end of the footpath A+
Emma Wood State Beach, 50 yards South of first drain A+ A+ B Surfer’s Point at Seaside B A F
Promenade Park, at Figueroa St. A A F
Promenade Park, at Redwood Apts. A F
Promenade Park, south of drain at California St. A+ F
San Buenaventura Beach- south of drain at Kalorama St. F San Buenaventura Beach, south of drain at San Jon Rd. A F F San Buenaventura Beach, south of drain at Dover Ln. A+ D San Buenaventura Beach, south of drain at Weymouth Ln. A+ C Marina Park, north end of playground A F
Peninsula Beach, North of South Jetty A+ D
La Conchita Beach, Ocean View Rd. A+
Surfer’s Knoll, at parking lot A A C
Oxnard Beach - 5th Street A
Oxnard Beach, at Outrigger Way A+ D
Oxnard Beach Park, at Falkirk Ave. A A+
Oxnard Beach Park, at Starfish Dr. A+
Hollywood Beach, at La Crescenta St. A+ A+
Hollywood Beach, at Los Robles St. A A+
C.I. Harbor, at Hobie Beach Lakshore Dr. A F
C. I. Harbor, Beach Park at South end of Victoria Ave. A A F Silverstrand , at San Nicholas Ave. A+ A+
Silverstrand, at Santa Paula Dr. A+ A+
Oil Piers Beach, south of storm drain A+ A+
Silverstrand, at Sawtelle Ave. A+ A+
Port Hueneme Beach Park, 50 yards north of the pier A+ A+ Ormond Beach- J Street drain B
Ormond Beach- Oxnard Industrial drain, 50 yds. no. of the drain A+ Ormond Beach- Arnold Rd. A+
Point Mugu Beach, at parking lot A+
Thornhill Broome Beach, at parking lot A+ A+
Sycamore Cove Beach, 50 yards south of the creek mouth A+ A+ County Line Beach A+ A+
Hobson County Park, at stairs A+ A+
Staircase Beach, bottom of staircase A+ A+
Faria County Park, at stairs A+ C F
Mandos Cove D
IV APPENDIX / B CALIFORNIA GRADES BY COUNTY
60 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Summer Dry
Grade
Winter Dry
Grade
Wet Weather
Grade
CLATSOP COUNTY
Seaside Beach at Broadway turn around A+
Seaside Beach at 12th Avenue A+
Seaside Beach at U Avenue F
Cannon Beach at Ecola Creek mouth (2nd Avenue) A+
Cannon Beach projection of Gower Ave. storm outflow A+
Tolovana State Park Beach D
Ecola Court pipe at Gower Street discharge to Cannon Beach C Tolovana State Park Beach 50m north of Chisana Creek A+ Tolovana State Park Beach 50m south of Chisana Creek A+ Tolovana SP Beach in Chisana Creek at the pipe outflow A+
COOS COUNTY
Sunset Bay State Park Beach South Cove A+
Sunset Bay State Park Beach at Restroom C
Sunset Bay State Park Beach at North Beach Access A+
Bastendorff Beach at Minor Creek Mouth A+
Bastendorff Beach Middle Access A+
Bastendorff Beach North at Jetty A+
Big Creek at Sunset Bay SP footbridge A+
Miner Creek 200m upstream from Bastendorff Beach A+
Bastendorff Beach South of Minor Creek A+
CURRY COUNTY
Hubbard Creek Beach at Hubbard Creek F
Hubbard Creek Beach 50m north of Hubbard Creek F
Hubbard Creek Beach 50m south of Hubbard Creek F
LANE COUNTY
Heceta Beach middle A+
Heceta Beach at north runoff C
Heceta Beach at south runoff C
Heceta Beach at the south end pipe runoff A+
IV APPENDIX / B OREGON GRADES BY COUNTY
61 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
LINCOLN COUNTY
D River at Hwy. 101 Bridge F
Spencer Creek at Beverly Beach at Hwy 101 bridge C
Beverly Beach 0.2 km South of ramp at beach access F
Beverly Beach 0.2 km West of creek mouth A+
Beverly Beach 0.1 km North of ramp A+
D River Beach 200 M South of Restroom A+
D River Beach West of Restroom D
D River Beach at North corner of parking lot F
Ecola Creek at the mouth of Logan Creek A
Nye Beach turnaround at discharge pipe A+
Nye Beach Turnaround west of discharge pipe D
Big Creek at Agate Beach Wayside at footbridge A+
Agate Beach at mouth of Big Creek A+
Nye Beach at war memorial west of Olive Street D
Nye Beach 100m north Nye Creek outflow A+
Seal Rock State Wayside Beach at north access A+
Seal Rock State Wayside Beach at mouth of Hill Creek A+ Seal Rock State Wayside Beach at mouth of Little Creek A+ Hill Creek at Seal Rock Beach at outflow C
Little Creek at Seal Rock Beach at outflow A+
TILLAMOOK COUNTY
Watseco Creek 100 m upstream from the mouth D
Kiwanda Beach at Dory Launch A+
Oceanside Beach State Wayside at parking access D
Oceanside Beach State Wayside at headland A+
Oceanside Beach State Wayside at seep (250 Meters South) D Rockaway Beach at creek (South 6th Avenue) A+
Rockaway Beach at South 1st Avenue Creek F
Short Sand Beach at Short Sand creek (Oswald State Park) A+ Short Sand Beach middle (Oswald State Park) A+
Short Sand Beach North End (Oswald State Park) A+
Twin Rocks Beach D
Neskowin Beach Middle at Creek Mouth D
Short Sand Creek Oswald State Park at dowstream footbridge A+ Kiwanda Beach at Mid Mound F
Kiwanda Beach at South Site A+
Neskowin Beach south side of Proposal Rock B
Rock Creek at Rockaway Beach at South 1st Avenue parking area A Saltair Creek at Rockaway Beach at south 6th Avenue C
IV APPENDIX / B OREGON GRADES BY COUNTY
62 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Summer Dry
Grade
Winter Dry
Grade
Wet Weather
Grade
CLALLAM COUNTY
Salt Creek Recreation Area - south A A+
Salt Creek Recreation Area - north A+
Salt Creek Recreation Area A+ A+
Cline Spit County Park - north A+ A+
Cline Spit County Park - mid A+ A+
Cline Spit County Park - south A+ A+
Hollywood Beach - west A+ A+
Hollywood Beach - mid A A+
Hollywood Beach - east A A+
GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY
Westport - The Groynes - west C A
Westport - The Groynes - mid B A+
Westport - The Groynes - east A A+
Westhaven State Park Half Moon Bay - south A A+
Westhaven State Park Half Moon Bay - mid A+ A+
Westhaven State Park Half Moon Bay - north A+ A+
Westhaven State Park South Jetty - south A A+
Westhaven State Park South Jetty - mid A A+
Westhaven State Park South Jetty - north C A+
ISLAND COUNTY
Oak Harbor Lagoon - north west A A+
Oak Harbor Lagoon - mid A+ A+
Oak Harbor Lagoon - south east A+ A+
Freeland County Park Holmes Harbor - west A+
Freeland County Park Holmes Harbor - mid A+
Freeland County Park Holmes Harbor - east A+
Dave Mackie Park Beach north B A+
Dave Mackie Park Beach in tidal lagoon A+
Freeland County Park Holmes Harbor - mid B A+
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Fort Worden State Park - north A A+
Fort Worden State Park - mid A+ A+
Fort Worden State Park - south A A+
Fort Flagler State Park - west entrance north A A+
Fort Flagler State Park - west entrance boat launch A+ A+ Fort Flagler State Park - west entrance south of dock A+ A+ Irondale Beach Park - south A+ A+
Irondale Beach Park - mid A+ A+
Irondale Beach Park - north A A+
Herb Beck Marina - east A A+
Herb Beck Marina - mid A+ A+
Herb Beck Marina - west A+ A+
IV APPENDIX / B WASHINGTON GRADES BY COUNTY
63 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
KING COUNTY
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park - south A+
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park - mid A+
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park - north A+
Carkeek Park - south A+
Carkeek Park - mid A+
Carkeek Park - north A+
Golden Gardens - south A+
Golden Gardens - mid A+
Golden Gardens - north A+
Alki Beach Park - south A+
Alki Beach Park - mid A+
Alki Beach Park - north A+
Richey Viewpoint - south A+
Richey Viewpoint - mid A+
Richey Viewpoint - north A+
Lincoln Park - south A+
Lincoln Park - mid A+
Lincoln Park - north A+
Seahurst (Ed Munro) Park - south A+
Seahurst (Ed Munro) Park - mid A+
Seahurst (Ed Munro) Park - north A+
Saltwater State Park - south A A+
Saltwater State Park - mid A A+
Saltwater State Park - north A A+
Redondo County Park - south A+ A+
Redondo County Park - mid A+ A+
Redondo County Park - north A A+
Dash Point State Park - west A+ A+
Dash Point State Park - mid A A+
Dash Point State Park - east A D
KITSAP COUNTY
Point No Point Lighthouse Park north A A+
Point No Point Lighthouse Park mid A A+
Point No Point Lighthouse Park south A A+
Arness County Park - north A+
Arness County Park - mid A+
Arness County Park - south A+
Indianola Dock - east A A+
Indianola Dock - mid A+ A+
Indianola Dock - west A A+
Fay Bainbridge State Park - north A A+
Fay Bainbridge State Park - mid A+ A+
Fay Bainbridge State Park - south A+ A+
Scenic Beach State Park west A+ A+
Scenic Beach State Park mid A+ A+
Scenic Beach State Park east A A+
Silverdale County Park - east A A+
IV APPENDIX / B WASHINGTON GRADES BY COUNTY
(CONTINUED)
64 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Silverdale County Park - mid A A+
Silverdale County Park - west A A+
Illahee State Park - north A+ A+
Illahee State Park - mid A+ A+
Illahee State Park - south A+ A+
Lions Park - south A+ A+
Lions Park - mid A+ A+
Lions Park - north A A+
Pomeroy Park - Manchester Beach - north A A+
Pomeroy Park - Manchester Beach - mid A+ A+
Pomeroy Park - Manchester Beach - south A+ A+
Joel Pritchard Park - west A+ A+
Joel Pritchard Park - mid A A+
Joel Pritchard Park - east A+ A+
MASON COUNTY
Belfair State Park A+ A+
Twanoh State Park - west of dock A+ A+
Twanoh State Park - point A+ A+
Twanoh State Park - west of point A A+
Potlatch State Park - north A A+
Potlatch State Park - mid A+ A+
Potlatch State Park - south A A+
PIERCE COUNTY
Purdy Sandspit County Park - west A+ A+
Purdy Sandspit County Park - mid B A+
Purdy Sandspit County Park - east A D
Dash Point County Park - west of pier A A+
Dash Point County Park - east of pier A A+
Dash Point County Park - east A A+
Owens Beach - Point Defiance Park - north A+
Owens Beach - Point Defiance Park - mid B
Owens Beach - Point Defiance Park - south A+
Ruston Way north - projection of Warner St A A+
Waterfront Dock/ Ruston Way - south A A+
Waterfront Dock/ Ruston Way - north A A+
Titlow Park - south A A+
Titlow Park - mid A+ A+
Titlow Park - north A+ A+
Sunnyside Beach Park - south A+ A+
Sunnyside Beach Park - mid A+ A+
Sunnyside Beach Park - north A A+
Jack Hyde Park - west A+ A+
Jack Hyde Park - mid A+ A+
Jack Hyde Park - east A A+
IV APPENDIX / B WASHINGTON GRADES BY COUNTY
65 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
SKAGIT COUNTY
Bayview State Park - south A A+
Bayview State Park - north A+ A+
Bayview State Park - mid A A+
Bayview State Park A A+
SNOHOMISH COUNTY
Kayak Point County Park - south A+
Kayak Point County Park - mid A+
Kayak Point County Park - north A+
Jetty Island - south A+
Jetty Island - mid A+
Jetty Island - north A+
Howarth Park - south A+
Howarth Park - mid A+
Howarth Park - north A+
Mukilteo Lighthouse Park south A+
Mukilteo Lighthouse Park mid A A+
Mukilteo Lighthouse Park north B A+
Picnic Point County Park - south A+ A+
Picnic Point County Park - mid A A+
Picnic Point County Park - north A+ A+
Edmonds Underwater Park - south A+ A+
Edmonds Underwater Park - mid A+ A+
Edmonds Underwater Park - north A+ A+
Marina Beach Edmonds - south A+ A+
Marina Beach Edmonds - mid A+ A+
Marina Beach Edmonds - north A+ A+
THURSTON COUNTY
Burfoot County Park - north A A+
Burfoot County Park - mid A+ A+
Burfoot County Park - south A+ A+
Priest Point Park A+
Priest Point Park A
Priest Point Park A+
WHATCOM COUNTY
Birch Bay County Park - south A+
Birch Bay County Park - mid A+
Birch Bay County Park - north A+
Little Squalicum Park east A+
Little Squalicum Park at creek outlet A+
Little Squalicum Park far west of pier A+
Bellingham Marine Park outer A+
Port of Bellingham Marine Park A+
Port of Bellingham Marine Park A
Larrabee State Park Wildcat Cove - west A C
Larrabee State Park Wildcat Cove - mid A C
Larrabee State Park Wildcat Cove - south A+ F
IV APPENDIX / B WASHINGTON GRADES BY COUNTY
66 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
What is the Beach Report Card?
The Beach Report Card transforms complicated water quality data into an easy-to-understand A–F grading format so the public can know where and when it is safe to go in the ocean. Grades are based on fecal bacteria pollution concentrations in the wave-wash. Water samples are analyzed for bacteria that indicate pollution from numerous sources, including fecal waste. The better the grade a beach receives, the lower the risk of illness to ocean users.
The BRC should be used like the SPF ratings in sunblock — beachgoers should determine what they are comfortable with in terms of relative risk, and then make the necessary decisions to protect their health. Heal the Bay urges coastal beachgoers to use this information before they visit beaches on the West Coast.
What is the history of the BRC?
Heal the Bay’s first Beach Report Card was published in 1991 (with data from 1989 & 1990) and covered about 50 monitoring locations in Los Angeles County from Leo Carrillo Beach (near the Ventura County line) to Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. At that time, beachgoers knew little about the health risks of swimming in polluted waters or the water quality at any of their favorite beaches in Los Angeles County. Beach water quality was a known public issue only when a substantial sewage spill occurred. Although beaches were routinely monitored, the data were either inaccessible or incomprehensible to the general public.
Since then, an immense amount of work has been completed and resources invested to reduce urban runoff pollution and sewage spills at our local beaches. Heal the Bay is proud to have played an active role in putting legislation and policies in place to help protect public health.
What do the grades mean to the beach user?
Coming into contact with waters with elevated bacteria concentrations has been associated with increased risks to human health. The higher the grade a beach receives, the better the water quality at that beach. The lower the grade, the greater the health risks. Potential illnesses include gastrointestinal illness, eye/ear infections, upper respiratory infection and major skin rash (full body). The known risks of contracting illnesses associated with each threshold are based on a one-time, single event of exposure (head immersed while swimming) to polluted water. Increasing frequency of exposure or the magnitude of bacteria densities may significantly increase an ocean user’s risk of contracting any of these illnesses.
About Heal the Bay’s Annual Beach Report Card
Heal the Bay is a nonprofit environmental organization, dedicated to making coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy and clean. We use science, education, community action and advocacy to pursue our mission.
Summer Dry Winter Dry Wet Weather
(Apr–Oct) (Nov–Mar) Year-Round
A A F
Beach Report Card’s water quality grade
(See Appendix D for complete methodology)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How are grades calculated?
Heal the Bay’s grading system takes into consideration the magnitude and frequency of exceedances above allowed bacterial levels over the course of the specified time period. Each BRC year contains three time/weather periods:
• Summer Dry = Samples taken during dry weather between April 1 and October 31
• Winter Dry = Samples taken during dry weather between November 1 and March 31
• Wet Weather = Samples taken during or within 72 hours of a rain event*
Water quality typically drops dramatically during and immediately after a rainstorm but often rebounds to its previous level within a few days. For this reason, year-round wet weather data throughout California were analyzed separately in order to avoid artificially lowering a location’s grade, and to provide a better understanding of statewide beach water quality impacts.
For complete methodology, see Appendix D.
NOTE: *Heal the Bay utilizes a definition of a ‘rain event’ in California as precipitation greater than or equal to one tenth of an inch (≥ 0.1”) accumulated over a period of 72 hours. Oregon and Washington criteria for a rain event is ≥0.2” of precipitation
How current are the weekly grades?
It is important to note that the grades from the Beach Report Card represent the most current information available to the public, but they do not represent real-time water quality conditions. Currently, laboratory analyses of beach water quality samples take 18 to 24 hours to complete; then the data must be entered into a database before they are sent to Heal the Bay for a grade calculation. For weekly grades, Heal the Bay releases grades every Friday throughout the year based on the most recent available sample data for the entire west coast. Weekly grades and more can be found at www.beachreportcard.org.
IV APPENDIX / C
67 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
What type of pollution is measured?
Pollution is measured by sampling types of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) including total coliform, fecal coliform, and Enterococcus spp. California requires measurement of all three FIB, but Oregon and Washington only require Enterococcus. Runoff from creeks, rivers and storm drains are sources of pollution to California, Oregon, and Washington beaches.
Runoff may contain toxic heavy metals, pesticides, fertilizers, petroleum hydrocarbons, animal waste, trash, and even human sewage..
The amounts of fecal indicator bacteria present in runoff, and consequently at the beach, is currently the best indication of whether or not a beach is safe for recreational water contact. The link between swimming in waters containing elevated levels of indicator bacteria and health risk was confirmed in the 1995 epidemiological study conducted by the University of Southern California, Orange County Sanitation District, the City of Los Angeles and Heal the Bay, under the auspices of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project.
Indicator bacteria themselves do not usually cause bather illness. Instead, their presence indicates the potential for water contamination with other pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that do pose a health risk to humans. At present, the report card contains no information on toxins or trash in the water or on the beach.
ABOUT INDICATOR BACTERIA
The most common types of indicator bacteria include:
• Total coliform
• Fecal coliform (or E. coli)
• Enterococcus
Total coliform, which contains coliform of all types, originates from many sources including soil, plants, animals, and humans. Fecal coliform and Enterococcus bacteria are found in the fecal matter of mammals and birds. This fecal bacteria does not always come from humans; however, human sewage does regularly end up in the ocean through sewage infrastructure failure and storm drains.
Why is storm drain pollution so significant?
Storm drain runoff is the largest source of pollution for ocean beaches.
Storm drains flow untreated to the coast and are often contaminated with motor oil, animal waste, pesticides, yard waste and trash. After a rain, FIB densities often far exceed state health criteria for recreational water use.
Health officials and Heal the Bay recommend that beach users never swim within 100 yards on either side of a flowing storm drain, creek, or river in any coastal waters during a rainstorm, and to stay out of the water for at least three days after a storm has ended.
Children often play directly in front of storm drains and in runoff-filled ponds and lagoons. Monitoring at “point zero” (the mouth of storm drains or creeks) is the best way to ensure that the health risks to all swimmers are minimized. This Heal the Bay recommendation was finally adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for the 2015 swimming season. In fact, the SWRCB made point zero monitoring a criterion for receiving beach water quality monitoring funds. This was great news for beachgoers and families going to the beach last summer. For more on storm drain impacted beaches, see “Analysis of Beach Types”.
Are beaches monitored year-round?
In California, water quality samples are collected by the appropriate health agency at a minimum of once a week from April through October as required under the California Beach Bathing Water Quality Standards (AB 411) and recommended by EPA’s National Beach Guidance and Performance Criteria for Recreational Waters (EPA’s BEACH program). Some agencies conduct year-round sampling, while others scale back their monitoring programs dramatically from November through March, despite the fact that many oceangoers are in the water year-round.
The majority of Oregon and Washington water quality monitoring occurs during the summer swimming season (Memorial Day through Labor Day).
The Makah Tribe in Clallam County Washington monitors water quality on a weekly basis year-round.
Why not test for viruses?
A common question asked by beachgoers is: “if viruses cause many of the swimming-associated illnesses, why don’t health agencies monitor directly for viruses instead of indicator bacteria?” Although virus monitoring is incredibly useful in identifying sources of fecal pollution, there are a number of drawbacks to available virus measurement methods. There have been tremendous breakthroughs in the use of DNA to analyze water samples for virus or human pathogenic bacteria, but these techniques are still relatively expensive. In addition, interpretation of virus monitoring data is difficult because, unlike bacterial indicators, there is little data available to link health risks associated with swimming in beach water to virus densities.
Many epidemiology studies have been conducted on the West Coast and have found a strong correlation between illness rates and FIB concentrations so measuring FIB is a robust way to protect public health. However, research must be continued to refine how water quality is measured.
IV APPENDIX / C FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
68 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Beach Report Card Grading and Methodology
The Beach Report Card Grading Methodology translates complex shoreline bacteria data into a grade format that is meaningful and useable by all California beachgoers.
Each geometric mean criterion exceeded is assigned a specific percentage of points lost. Non-exceedances are given 0%. The percentage of points lost from each of the three criteria divided by the number of sample days are multiplied by the ‘Total Available Points’ (any sum of percentages exceeding 100% automatically loses all 50 points available in the geometric mean component).
Single Sample Standard
Calculating the ‘Total Points Lost’ for the Single Sample Standard component is similar to the calculation used for deriving the points lost for the Geometric Mean. However, the Single Sample Standard component uses a gradient to calculate the ‘Total Points Lost’. The gradient of percentage points lost used in calculating the number of points lost is derived from work completed by the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project and Orange County Sanitation District as part of the 1998 Southern California Coastal Bight Study (see Table 5-4).
‘Percentage of points lost’ is allocated depending upon the threshold exceeded by each of the four criteria. Each single sample criterion exceeded is given a ‘percentage of points lost’. These amounts are presented in Table 5-4.
The ‘percentage of points lost’ from each of the four criteria for each sample during the time period are added together and divided by the total number of samples. Once this number is calculated (total ‘percentage of points lost’ divided by total number of samples), it is multiplied by the ‘Total Available Points’. In the Single Sample Standard component, more points are lost as the magnitude or frequency of exceedances increases.
Points lost from the Single Sample Standard component are added to the points lost in the Geometric Mean component (if applicable) and this sum becomes ‘Total Points Lost’. Once the ‘Total Points Available’ and the ‘Total Points Lost’ are calculated, a grade for a particular sample site can be determined.
Determining a Grade
% Grade =
‘TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE’ — ‘TOTAL POINTS LOST’
‘TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE’
Most dry and wet weather annual grades are calculated with 100 ‘Total Available Points’, although there is no Geometric Mean component for wet weather grading. Wet weather grades are calculated by the total ‘percentage of points lost’ divided by the total number of samples and then multiplied by 100. This gives the location’s score for wet weather ‘Total Points Lost’. This number is then subtracted from 100 to give the percentage grade.
METHODOLOGY: OREGON AND WASHINGTON
The Oregon and Washington state grade methodology (using Enterococcus standards) was adapted from the seven standard California methodology (see Appendix A1).
Total Points Available
As seen in Table 5-2, the methodology uses a standard A through F grading system, and grades are based on the following formula:
% Grade =
‘TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE’ — ‘TOTAL POINTS LOST’
‘TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE’
Note: The Annual and End-of-Summer Beach Report Card methodology is modified slightly to accommodate the longer time period. (For example: no greater significance is given to the most recent samples.) METHODOLOGY: CALIFORNIA
Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card grading system is endorsed by the SWRCB and the Beach Water Quality Workgroup as an effective way to communicate beach water quality to the public
Past amendments to the grading methodology have included:
• The inclusion of the geometric mean into the calculation • A firm zero-to-100 point scale
• Greater weight for Enterococcus and the total to fecal ratio relative to total coliform and fecal coliform
The methodology retains past modifications to the report card, such as the inclusion of new indicator bacteria thresholds (namely the total-to-fecal ratio), developed by the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission in the 1996 health effects studies of Santa Monica Bay beachgoers. It also retains the implementation of standard deviations for each indicator bacteria threshold, which was developed by the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project and Orange County Sanitation Districts during the 1998 Southern California Bight Study. Each threshold is based on the prescribed standards set in the California Department Health Service’s Beach Bathing Water Standards.
As seen in Table 5-1 the methodology uses a standard A through F grading system, and grades are based on the following formula:
% Grade =
‘TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE’ — ‘TOTAL POINTS LOST’
‘TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE’
[Note: The Annual and End-of-Summer Beach Report Card methodology is modified slightly to accommodate the longer time period. For example: no greater significance is given to the most recent samples.] Total Points Available
‘Total Points Available’ is derived from adding together two point components (if applicable): the Geometric Mean and the Single Sample Standard. The points for each component are listed in Table 5-2.
In order for the points in each component to become available, certain criteria must be met. (For example, the geometric mean points will be added to the ‘Total Points Available’ only if there are a minimum of four dry weather samples collected within the allotted time frame). Wet weather data is graded separately from dry weather data, and does not currently include a geometric mean component. Therefore, it is possible for ‘Total Points Available’ to be less than 100. The new grading methodology allows for a relative grade to be determined based on the actual monitoring completed.
Once the ‘Total Available Points’ has been determined for a specific location, then the ‘Total Points Lost’ can be calculated for the applicable grade components.
Total Points Lost
Separate calculations are used to quantify ‘Total Points Lost’ for each applicable component from the ‘Total Available Points’. The following describes the two calculations.
Geometric Mean
Calculating the ‘Total Points Lost’ for the geometric mean component involves using the rolling 30-day geometric mean values calculated for each sample day (see Table 5-3).
IV APPENDIX / D
69 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
TABLE 5-3: CALCULATING THE TOTAL POINTS LOST
FOR THE GEOMETRIC MEAN COMPONENT
Indicator
Exceeded
Calif. Beach Bathing
Water Standard
% of Total Available Points
Lost** Due to Exceedance
Total Avail.
Points
Enterococcus 35 80%
Fecal Coliform 200 40% 50
Total Coliform 1000 20%
* Colony forming units per 100 milliliters of ocean water TABLE 5-5: CALCULATING THE TOTAL POINTS LOST FOR THE
SINGLE SAMPLE STANDARD COMPONENT
Indicator Exceeded
SLIGHT
% Points
Lost
MODERATE
% Points
Lost
HIGH
% Points
Lost
EXTREME
% Points
Lost
Total
Available
Points
Total Coliform 10% 30% 40% N/A
50 Fecal Coliform 10% 30% 40% N/A
Enterococcus 20% 40% 60% N/A
Ratio (when total
> 1,000) 25% 50% 75% 100%
TABLE 5-4: SINGLE SAMPLE GRADIENT THRESHOLDS IN CFU/100ML* Indicator Bacteria
SLIGHT
T – 1 SD
MODERATE
T + 1 SD
HIGH
> T + 1 SD
EXTREME
Very High Risk
Total Coliform 6,711–9,999 10,000–14,900 > 14,900 N/A
Fecal Coliform 268–399 400–596 > 596 N/A
Enterococcus 70–103 104–155 > 155 N/A
Total: Fecal Ratio
(when total > 1,000) 10.1–13 7.1–10 2.1–7 < 2.1
* Colony forming units per 100 milliliters of ocean water. N/A = Not applicable SD = Standard Deviation. Bold = California State Health Department standards for a single sample TABLE 5-7: CALCULATING THE TOTAL POINTS LOST FOR THE
SINGLE SAMPLE STANDARD COMPONENT
Indicator
Exceeded
SLIGHT
% Points Lost
MODERATE
% Points Lost
HIGH
% Points Lost
Total Available
Points
Enterococcus 25% 75% 100% 50
TABLE 5-6: SINGLE SAMPLE GRADIENT THRESHOLDS IN CFU/100ML* Indicator Bacteria SLIGHT
T – 1 SD
MODERATE
T + 1 SD
HIGH
> T + 1 S
Enterococcus 70–103 104–155 >155
* Colony forming units per 100 milliliters of ocean water SD = Standard Deviation. Bold = California State Health Department standards for a single sample TABLE 5-2: TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE BY COMPONENT
Geometric Mean 50 points
Single Sample Standard 50 points
Total 100 points
TABLE 5-1: GRADING SYSTEM
A B C D F
100%–90% 89%–80% 79%–70% 69%–60% <60%
Wet weather data (>=0.2 inches of rain in previous 72 hours) is graded separately from dry weather data and does not currently include a geometric mean component.
‘Total Points Available’ is derived from adding together two point components (if applicable): the Geometric Mean and the Single Sample Standard. The points for each component are listed in Table 5-2. In order for the points in each component to become available certain criteria must be met. Oregon and Washington Summer Beach Report Card methodology calculations only include Geometric Mean scores when four or more dry weather samples are available in determining a location’s 30-day geometric mean. Therefore, it is possible for ‘Total Points Available’ to be less than 100. The grading methodology allows for a relative grade to be determined based on the actual monitoring completed.
Once the ‘Total Available Points’ has been determined for a specific location, then the ‘Total Points Lost’ is calculated for the applicable grade components.
Total Points Lost
Separate calculations are used to quantify ‘Total Points Lost’ for each applicable component from the ‘Total Available Points’. The following describes the two calculations:
Geometric Mean
Calculating the ‘Total Points Lost’ for the Geometric Mean component involves using EPA’s beach bathing indicator density of 35 for the geometric mean. If there are four or more samples included in the 30-day geometric mean calculation then the 50 points for the Geometric Mean component become available. Oregon and Washington Beach Report Card methodology calculates the percentage of geometric mean exceedance days based on the number of valid (four or more) geometric means scored during the extended time period. The percentage of geometric exceedance sample days out of valid geometric mean sample days is multiplied by the 50 available points to determine the ‘Total Points Lost’ for the Geometric Mean component.
Single Sample Standard
The Single Sample Standard component uses a gradient to calculate the ‘Total Points Lost’. The gradient of percentage of points lost used in calculating the number of points lost is derived from the EPA’s Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria and is found in Table 5-6.
‘Percentage of points lost’ is allocated depending upon the threshold exceeded.
The penalties for threshold exceedances are presented in Table 5-7. Nonexceedances lose zero points. The ‘percentage of points lost’ for each sample during the time period are added together and divided by the total number of samples and multiplied by the ‘Total Available Points’. More points are lost as the magnitude or frequency of exceedances increases.
Points lost from the Single Sample Standard component are added to the points lost in the Geometric Mean component (if applicable) and this sum becomes ‘Total Points Lost’. Once the ‘Total Points Available’ and the ‘Total Points Lost’ are calculated a grade for a particular sample site can be determined.
Determining a Grade
% Grade =
‘TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE’ — ‘TOTAL POINTS LOST’
‘TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE’
Most dry and wet weather annual grades are calculated with 100 ‘Total Available Points’, although there is no Geometric Mean component for wet weather grading. Wet weather grades are calculated by the total ‘percentage of points lost’ divided by the total number of samples and then multiplied by 100. This gives the location’s score for wet weather ‘Total Points Lost’. This number is then subtracted from 100 to give the percentage grade.
IV APPENDIX / D METHODOLOGY
70 HEAL THE BAY // 2022–2023
Acknowledgements
The entire Beach Report Card program would not be possible without the cooperation of the many monitoring agencies across the West Coast. These agencies include:
Makah Tribe
Washington Department of Ecology
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Humboldt County Department of Health & Human
Services
Mendocino County Environmental Health
Department
Sonoma County Environmental Health & Safety
Marin County Environmental Health Services
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
East Bay Regional Park District
San Mateo County Health
Santa Cruz County Environmental Health
2022–23 Beach Report Card
Report Research and Copy: Luke Ginger, Alison Xunyi Wu
Data Compilation and Analysis: Alison Xunyi Wu, Luke Ginger Copy Editors: Katherine Pease, Alison Simard, Gabriele Morgan, Tracy Quinn
Design by: Ison Design
1444 9th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 | 800.HEAL.BAY | 310.451.1500 | healthebay.org The Beach Report Card’s original concept and methodology were created in part by former Heal the Bay scientists Dr. Mark Gold, Delaney Alamillo, and Mitzy Taggart. This report would not be possible without their passion and dedication to improving beach water quality and strengthening public health protection.
A special thank you to our funders for their continued support of the Beach Report Card program and the publication of this report:
IV APPENDIX / E
Monterey County Health Department
San Luis Obispo County Environmental Health
Services
Santa Barbara County Environmental Health
Services
Ventura County Environmental Health Division
City of Los Angeles Environmental Monitoring
Division
Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
City of Redondo Beach
City of Long Beach Department of Health and
Human Services
South Orange County Wastewater Authority
County of Orange Environmental Health
Orange County Sanitation District
San Diego County Department of Environmental
Health
San Elijo Joint Powers Authority
City of San Diego
City of Oceanside
Encina Wastewater Authority
Port of San Diego
State Water Resources Control Board