Beach Report
Beach & Lakes Water Testing
The Niagara County Department of Health tests beaches and bathing areas within Niagara County weekly throughout the summer to determine if the water quality can cause a health risk.
Testing is also performed at several other locations along the Lake to monitor water quality and that information may be helpful to residents along the Lake, boaters, and the recreational community.
Testing Results will determine whether a swimming area will remain open or designated as Unsafe to swim or Beach Closed.
Results will be posted on this website. Check back weekly for updates.
Definitions
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Open Beach is open for swimming. |
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Unsafe to Swim It is unsafe to swim, but the beach remains open. |
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Beach Closed Beach is closed to the public. No access to the beach, sand, or swimming. |
Beaches are posted unsafe to swim or closed when water tests show unacceptable levels of E. Coli bacteria present.
The beach may also be unsafe because of floating debris, oil, excessive weed growth, bad odors and general turbidity.
Swimming in these waters could cause infections of the ear, eye, nose throat and skin as well as cause diarrhea if the water is ingested.
Current Beach Status: (Last update 09/25/2020)
Check with the beach owner for current conditions.
Lake Ontario Permitted Beaches:
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Lake Ontario beaches may also be closed by the owner due to reasons other than those listed above.
Inland Lake Permitted Beaches:
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Closed for the Season |
Campground beaches may also be closed by the owner due to reason's other then those listed above.
These beaches are part of the camping experience and are restricted to campers.
Other Lake Ontario testing locations:
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Status
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Name
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Address/Map
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Current Weather
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| Closed for Season | Camp Kenan | 8571 Lower Lake Road Barker, NY | Barker Weather Forecast, NY |
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Closed for Season |
Fort Niagara State Park |
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Closed for Season
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Four Mile Creek State Park |
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Closed for Season |
Lighthouse Christian Camp |
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| Closed for Season |
Porter On the Lake Town Park |
We are testing for E Coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria, once a week, at both a shallow depth and a deep depth at each site. The standard for E. coli is 235 E.coli per 100ml of freshwater for a single sample and 126 E.coli per 100ml of freshwater as a logarithmic mean of all samples over a 30-day period. The bathing beach standards are covered in Part 6 of the NYS/Niagara County Sanitary Code and include a whole host of requirements besides water quality. The website for the code is: Health NY Gov
Additional Information (links leave NCDOH website):
Sun Safety: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm
CDC Podcast "Protect Your Skin": http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/downloader/download.mp3?af=a&f=8623906
Unintentional Drowning: http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Water-Safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html
The NYS Department of Health coastal beach water quality information webpage can be used to obtain information about the most recent water quality status of Great Lakes beaches in New York State.