Even when the water looks clean, beach conditions can change quickly after rainfall, strong winds, or seasonal algae blooms.

 

BeachSafeCheck helps you check:

• Water quality advisories

• Swim hazards like rip currents or undertow

• Harmful algal bloom warnings

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So you can make safer choices for your family and pets.

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🟩 Water Quality Advisories

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After heavy rain, bacteria levels in the water may increase due to runoff or wastewater overflow.

Advisories often mean:

• Swimming is not recommended

• Children and pets may be at higher risk

• Swallowing water could cause illness

You can still enjoy the beach—just stay on the sand or choose another nearby location.

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🟨 Rip Currents & Swim Hazards

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Wind-driven waves on the Great Lakes can create powerful currents—even on days that look calm from shore.

These currents can:

• Pull swimmers away from land

• Form near piers or breakwalls

• Change quickly with weather conditions

BeachSafeCheck displays official hazard alerts when they are active.

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🟪 Harmful Algae Blooms

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Some algae blooms can produce toxins that may:

• Irritate skin

• Cause illness if swallowed

• Be dangerous for pets

Avoid water that looks:

• Bright green

• Paint-like

• Foamy or discolored

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🚨 Beach Advisory vs Beach Closure

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Beach Advisory

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A beach advisory means bacteria levels in the water have exceeded the recommended safety threshold.

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Most agencies follow the EPA Beach Action Value, which is typically:

235 E. coli per 100 mL of water

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When this level is exceeded:

• Swimming is not recommended
• Water contact should be limited
• Children, elderly individuals, and people with weakened immune systems should avoid the water

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Advisories often occur after heavy rainfall, when stormwater runoff can carry bacteria into lakes and rivers.

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Beach Closure

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A beach closure means conditions are considered unsafe for public use.

Closures may occur because of:

• Extremely high bacteria levels
• Harmful algal blooms (toxic algae)
• Dangerous wave conditions or structural currents
• Environmental hazards

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When a beach is closed, swimming and water contact should be avoided entirely until conditions improve.

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Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

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Harmful algal blooms are caused by certain types of cyanobacteria, sometimes called blue-green algae. These blooms can produce toxins that may affect both people and animals.

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Signs of a bloom may include:

• Bright green water or paint-like surface streaks
• Floating mats or scum on the water
• Musty or foul odors

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Safety recommendations:

• Do not swim in water with visible algae
• Keep pets away from bloom areas
• Do not drink untreated lake water
• Rinse skin with clean water after swimming

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Pets are particularly vulnerable because they may drink contaminated water or lick algae from their fur.

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Where Our Beach Data Comes From

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BeachSafeCheck collects and organizes the latest available public beach advisory information from trusted monitoring programs across the United States. These agencies regularly test water quality and issue advisories when bacteria levels exceed recommended safety thresholds.

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Primary Data Sources

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• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• National Beach Advisory and Closing Online Notification (BEACON) system

• State and Local Health Departments – Agencies responsible for routine water sampling and public safety notifications

• United States Geological Survey (USGS) – Environmental monitoring and water data used in predictive water quality models

• National Weather Service – Weather conditions that may affect beach safety such as storms, wind, and wave activity

• Local park districts, county health departments, and coastal monitoring programs