The first brutal heat wave of the season owns just about all of Southern California, with heat advisories and warnings blanketing the region, save for the coastline.

Temperatures soared into triple digits across inland valleys and surpassed 120 in the lower desert.

In notoriously hot Death Valley National Park, the mercury was expected to hit 126.

In Long Beach, meanwhile, the temperature topped out at a comfortable 81 degrees.

Gonzalo Medina, chief of marine safety for the Long Beach Fire Department, said the citys seven miles of beaches have been packed this week.

Our lifeguards have been busy. And they have been making rescues, Medina said. This is what they live for. Youre not going to hear many lifeguards complain about a heat wave.

And the timing was near perfect. Medina said the city began staffing every tower on the waterfront with its 150 lifeguards last Saturday.

All along the coast, Tuesday was just another sunny day to go for a run at the beach or take a walk in the South Bay, where many residents dont have air conditioning.

The temperature in El Segundo, just south of Los Angeles International Airport, was a mere 69 degrees at 1:30 p.m.

El Segundo real estate agent Bill Ruane said he pulled over on Grand Avenue to send a text message and watched people walking in shorts and sun hats.

Its very breezy and very cool, he said. Ive had AC at my house for the last 11 years and probably can count 10 times Ive turned it on. That was probably to make sure it worked.

For many Southern Californians, however, there wasnt anything fun or exciting about the heat. And they scrambled to find ways to beat it.

Some flocked to beaches and pools. Others bounced between air-conditioned cars and buildings. Still others drove to dozens of cooling centers that agencies have opened across the region.

Fontana, for example, saw a sharp surge in the number of people seeking respite at the citys five cooling centers, said Martha Guzman-Hurtado, a city spokeswoman.

In Riverside, Danny Anguiano, a 29-year-old engineer, said air conditioning, pure and simple, is how he copes.

Headed for his car, Anguiano said he bounces from his air-conditioned home to his air-conditioned compact to his air-conditioned office. And when its time for fun, he makes a point of going to an air-conditioned restaurant or an air-conditioned movie theater.

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Its got to be cool, he said.

UC Riverside microbiology student Fabian Gonzalez cant do that. Hes taking summer school. And he walks to class.

So Gonzalez wears a T-shirt and shorts, and lugs around a 32-ounce sports drink.

Thats the most comfortable way of surviving the heat, he said.

Some people embrace the heat. Thats exactly what 49-year-old Myra Sorenson of Riverside and her children, along with a family friend, were doing Tuesday afternoon at Riversides University Village.

They gathered outside, though in the shade, to eat warm doughnuts with ice cream in the middle.

You roll with it, Sorenson said. You enjoy life. You deal with things as they come.

Sure, people complain about the heat.

But I find that some people complain no matter what, she said.

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Beaches offer relief from heat wave scorching inland valleys - Long Beach Press Telegram

June 20, 2017 6:48 PM

SEASIDE PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) Handicapped access is available at beaches up and down the Jersey Shore, but some special needs parents point out that it does not quite get you far enough.

As CBS2s Meg Baker reported, a push has been launched to change that.

Most New Jerseyans agree that the place to be in the summer is on the beach. But for some, it is not as easy breezy as it could be.

The thing for us we just want our kids to be able to do what every child does together, said Erica Cirillo.

Most towns down the shore have beaches that provide for those with disabilities, but some say most ramps stop short and leave people in the hottest part of the sand. Such a ramp is found in Seaside Park.

I think its a necessity, said Danielle Dapuzzo. We do not want to sit up by the dunes where its 100 degrees. Serafina loves water wind in her face.

For anybody thats got wheelchairs, walkers or kids that just cant walk with balance, theyre stuck here, said Robin Grayer. They cant go to up to the ocean over there and get to enjoy what we get to.

Jessica Krill, a mother of two special needs children who are mobile, has made it her mission to improve handicap access.

Id like to see mats that can go down closer to the water and actually can branch off like a T, so families dont all congregate at the end of the mat, she said.

A 20-foot beach mat costs about $2,000, and more than one is needed to reach the water.

Krill has started a fundraiser to raise awareness and money and it is not just for special needs children.

Even me, said Carol Natoli, who walks with a cane.

Natoli would like to cool off in the ocean.

It would be nice, like at Coney Island, they have a thing right from boardwalk right down to the water, where anybody with a baby carriage because like, I cant do sand! she said.

The moms said they are not reinventing the wheel with their Beach Days for All effort, just helping to keep the wheels spinning toward fun in the sun for everyone.

Some towns do offer special beach wheelchairs, and most offer lifeguard assistance.

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Seaside Park Moms Push For Better Handicapped Access At Beaches - CBS New York

U.S. Notes | Marine Wildlife

Daksha Rangan Digital Reporter

Tuesday, June 20, 2017, 11:42 - Abnormally hot sand on Florida beaches is heating up sea turtle nests, and biologists expect the problem to worsen.

During the warmest months of the year, female sea turtles come ashore and lay their eggs in little pits along the beach, nesting them until they hatch. But recently, abnormally hot sand has been overheating the nests, literally cooking the developing embryos before they hatch.

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"In some places the nests are getting so hot that theres no survival," marine biologist Kristin Mazzarellatold Washington, D.C.-based non-profit Oceana.

"The eggs don't hatch."

RELATED VIDEO: Sea turtles show why Canada's coast is so important

"Were seeing more dead eggs," sea turtle biologist Jeanette Wyneken, a marine biologist in Boca Raton, Fla., told Oceana. "And when we do get turtles hatching, theyre often heat stressed. They may hatch and crawl to the water, but then die."

The unusually hot sand only adds to the list of human-made tribulations that baby sea turtles encounter, including poachers, plastic, and fishing gear.

SUMMER IS HERE: With El Nio helping shape global patterns what will Americans expect from summer? Find out with The Weather Networks 2017 Summer Forecast | FORECAST & MAPS HERE

Sea turtle nests once thrived in Boca Raton. Wyneken told Oceana that between 78 and 81 per cent of loggerhead, green, and leatherback sea turtle eggs once hatched along its shores in the past.

Record high temperatures, however, destroyed nests over the past two years. Only 58 per cent of eggs hatched in 2015, Wyneken said a number that dwindled to just 38 per cent in 2016.

RELATED VIDEO: Sea turtle rescued from Florida Keys resident's pool, captured on camera. Watch below.

A recent study in the journal Nature Climate Change finds this pattern will place in in Costa Rica, too.

The study predicts that the eastern Pacific's severely endangered leatherback populations will decline by 7 per cent every decade, with 75 per cent of the population expected to disappear by 2100.

The biggest threat that leading to this decline is overheated nests.

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Scorching hot US beaches are frying baby sea turtles alive - The Weather Network

GULF SHORES, Alabama (WKRG) Monday afternoon waves were crashing at four to six feet but continued to build as the storm moved closer to landfall. While other storms have produced waves much larger, the danger remains the same, a strong west running current, an extremely high risk of rip currents.

Beach patrols continue to monitor conditions and make sure everyone stays out of the surf. If you dont, you could go to jail.

The water may be closed but the beaches are not and there are plenty of folks coming to check out the wave action like Ann Little who has only lived in Foley for a couple of years and has never seen a churned up Gulf of Mexico. I mean it is so peaceful. I know its a storm but its so peaceful at the same time and we love it.

Jeff Shoecraft couldnt stay away. Enjoy it, take the view of it. Embrace it because you may not never ever see it again in your life.

The surf is expected to continue to build overnight with high tide hitting mid-morning.

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Gulf Waters Remain Closed Along Baldwin County Beaches - WKRG

JUPITER, Fla. - Closing the beaches due to high bacteria levels. It's happening a lot lately and you can blame the weather for that.

About two weeks ago, Palm Beach County's health department shut down four beaches in Palm Beach County: Jupiter Beach Park, Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and Phil Foster Park.

All of the heavy rain across the area over the last month is washing bacteria through our waterways.

But moms we talked to in Jupiter fear there's not enough testing and enforcement at one of the county's most popular swimming spots.

For the past several weeks, Kate Pittard has dealt with a bad infection on her baby son's arm.

"It ended up being some rare skin infection that you get from dirty soil that's under water," she said. "He wasn't outside digging in our yard. He definitely got it from here."

While she doesn't know for sure, she believes the water at Dubois Park in Jupiter is the culprit.

"He can't do anything but sit. So he was just splashing, picking up the sand," she said. "And the next day, he woke up with this bubble on his forearm."

After seeing a community Facebook group post on 'Moms of Jupiter,' she realized she wasn't alone. Dozens of other mothers in the area complained of similar issues ranging from rashes to ear and skin infections after visiting the park.

"They can test the water more...they can start charging per car to come in. They have ways of stopping the populations from getting too much because it clearly is. They have sand bags holding up the dunes," said Pittard.

The PBC Health Department said the recent rains are to blame for the issues that arise at Dubois Park.

"Usually it flushes itself very well with tidal flushing coming off the inlet. It's got a good flow. But when we have these heavy rains, because it's a little more inland and closed in, it has a tendency to capture a lot of the bacteria," said Tim O'Connor, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Health for Palm Beach County.

Currently, the department says all the beaches are safe, from Boca Raton to Jupiter. Boca Raton beaches had received poor results from water testing and were closed for a couple of days last week, but the beaches are now open.

O'Connor said analysts must collect samples from at least 18 inches of water and at least three feet into the waterway.

"And then they turn that into the lab for testing for enterococci -- which is a bacteria that primarily comes from the intestines of warm blooded animals," he said.

But they only test every other Monday, partly due to efficiency.

"We used to do it weekly, but the data showed us that it's just as effective to do twice a month," he said. "95 percent of the time, our beaches test in the good range."

He added testing on Monday, following usually busy weekends, is a good indicator of bacteria levels. It takes the health department 24 hours to get water sample results. If the levels are high, the beach is closed -- but lifeguards continue testing the water every day until the water comes back normal. Beach closures usually last about two days.

There are also other factors like watercraft and sewage spills that can contribute to unexpected bacteria levels at area beaches. Those instances are rare.

"A ship for example, has emptied its bilge...and then that gets carried in and we'll run into it that way," said O'Connor.

The changing tides can also affect the color of the water. On Tuesday, Dubois Park's water looked dark brown, a stark contrast to the deeper blue color.

"When it's going to low tide, it pulls along this trough here and goes back out to the ocean. And that's why we have a little bit of brown tint because it's coming from deeper in the Intracoastal and back in a lake here," said Hannah Forrest, a lifeguard at Dubois Park for Palm Beach County. "It's coming from deeper Intracoastal where the water is brackish water."

But Pittard says until stricter testing is done, she's staying clear from the water at Dubois Park.

"Put a limit on how many people are here. They have to test it more.," she said. "It's a beautiful area. I just wish it was better taken care of. You can't ever trust when it's safe or not. You can take your chances like I did and your kid ends up getting sick."

The health department posts the latest data on bacteria levels at every beach in the county. Click here to see the data.

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Heavy rains to blame for high bacteria at local beaches - wptv.com - WPTV.com

There are five popular Florida beaches on the East Coast within 75 minutes of Orlando and several more Florida Beaches on the Gulf Coast that are worth the drive.

1. Cocoa Beach, driving time: about 1 hour, 5 minutes. Read the guide.

2. Daytona Beach, driving time: about 1 hour, 7 minutes. Read the guide.

3. New Smyrna Beach, driving time: about 1 hour, 8 minutes. Read the guide.

4. Canaveral National Seashore, driving time: about 1 hour, 9 minutes. Read the guide.

5:Flagler Beach , driving time: about 1 hour, 10 minutes. Read the guide

BONUS: Melbourne Beach , driving time: about 1 hour, 24 minutes. Read the guide

BONUS: Sebastian Inlet , driving time: about 1 hour, 46 minutes. Read the guide

WEST COAST

For those interested in the Gulf Coast beaches from Orlando, here are popular choices within 2 1/2 hours drive.

1. Treasure Island (Near St. Petersburg) driving time: 1 hour 57 minutes. Read the guide

2. Clearwater Beach (Near Tampa ) driving time: 1 hour, 59 minutes. Read the guide

3. Fort De Soto Park (Near St. Petersburg) driving time: 2 hours, 3 minutes. Read the guide

4. Caladesi Island State Park (Near Tampa ) driving time: 2 hours, 7 minutes. Read the guide

5. Anna Maria Island (Near Bradenton) driving time: 2 hours, 17 minutes. Read the guide

6. Siesta Key (Near Sarasota) driving time: 2 hours, 20 minutes. Read the guide

7. Longboat Key, Lido Key and St. Armands Key (Near Sarasota) driving time: 2 hours, 21 minutes. Read the guide

MORE BEACHES

Click here to view other popular destination beaches in our Florida Beach Guide. and for those interested in taking a dip in Florida's other popular watery destination, check out our Florida Springs Guide.

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5 closest beaches to Orlando - Orlando Sentinel

5 Water safety tips for the summer Wochit

Visitors to the Asbury Park beach enjoy both the beach and the bar along the side of Convention Hall as they all cool off in their own way.(Photo: P Ackerman/Staff Phtographer, P Ackerman/Staff Photograher)Buy Photo

Multiple beaches from Highlands to Toms River were under bacteria advisories Tuesday aftertesting on Monday by local health officials revealed unsafe conditions.

Once again, Monmouth County continues to struggle with levels of bacteria that makes its water even on generally cleaner oceanfront beaches unfit for bathers.

Per NJbeaches.org, here are the 16 beaches that tested above the safe swimming threshold, 104 colony forming units, on Tuesday:

Deal's Hathaway Avenue beach is not open to swimmers at all so there is no advisory at that location.

The beaches will be sampled again on Wednesdaymorning and those results will be posted on app.com as soon as they are released.

Every Tuesday online, the Press and app.com will post water-quality test results from every Jersey Shore beach that exceeds federal safe swimming standards for fecal bacteria.

NEW THIS MORNING: Boat lift involved in fatal electrocution of girl was corroded

In New Jersey, rainfall is closely linked to high bacteria levels near beaches.

Bacteria counts tend to spike following precipitation, and then moderate as the rainwater is dispersed into the river, bay or ocean. Even a tenth-of-an-inch or less can cause bacteria advisories.

Scattered showers on Saturday evening dropped light rain on the Shore and that is likely behind Monday's high samples, according to Larry Hajna, spokesman for theNew Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The tests are part of a weekly monitoring program thatis on the lookout forenterococcus, a bacteria that grows inside the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals and can be found alongside their feces. This kind of bacteria is considered a warning sign of dangerous pathogens.

LAST WEEK: Dolphins, whales spotted off Ocean County coast

Swallowing contaminated water could result in cramps and diarrhea from gastrointestinal illnesses, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Setting aside water quality issues for a moment, another threat lurks in the water this week: rip currents. A rip current is a possible suspect in the drowning of two Belmar girls last Thursday.

The National Weather Service considers the Shore to be under a moderate risk of rip currents, powerful channels of water that drag swimmers away from the beach.

Watch the video below for tips on how to get out of a rip current and always swim within eyesight of a lifeguard.

What characterizes a rip current and how do you get out of one?

Along with water sampling, the state of New Jersey also conducts coastal flights six days a week. A small plane will fly up and down the Shore, looking for floating debris, remotely sensing for algae blooms and spotting marine life.

Here's what they observed in the past week. The list is light because multiple flights were canceled due to weather conditions:

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TRAGEDY: Belmar girl dies after days on life support

WEATHER: Tuesday calls for mostly sunny, and a moderate risk for rip currents

THINGS TO DO: Your warm weather guide for the Jersey Shore

Russ Zimmer: 732-557-5748, razimmer@app.com

Read or Share this story: http://on.app.com/2sPOC0p

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Beach report: Too much bacteria at 16 Shore beaches - Asbury Park Press

HURON COUNTY Local health officials on Tuesday closed two beaches after test results found unsafe levels of E. coli.

According to information released by Environmental Health Director Tip MacGuire, Bird Creek County Park had 1,046.2 Escherichia coli (E. coli) colonies per 100 ml. of water, while Jenks Park Beach registered 1,299.7.

A Huron County beach is closed when a composite sample of the three samples collected in 3 to 6 feet of water exceed 300 Escherichia coli (E.Coli) colonies per 100 ml of water.

This is the first time this year that beaches have been closed in Huron County because of high bacteria counts.

Officials have indicated resampling already has been completed at the two closed beaches, and it's anticipated those results will be released sometime Wednesday.

Beaches are opened if bacteria counts improve to acceptable limits.

The beaches at Bird Creek County Park, Jenks County Park, Harbor Beach City Park, Wagener County Park and Veterans Village Park were tested Monday. The other eight beaches will be tested Thursday, according to a news release health officials issued prior to the start of this summer's beach testing program.

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Two Huron County beaches closed for E. coli - Huron Daily Tribune

WNCN

NC beaches keep no-swim advisory in place for 2nd day WNCN EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (WNCT) For the second day in a row, the rip current risk remains high along the coast, and the entire 12 miles of beach in Emerald Isle is marked with red flags signifying swimmers to stay out of the ocean. Pine Knoll Shores ... High surf danger means another day of North Carolina beach warningsWTVD-TV Emerald Isle holds beach safety info session amid rip current concernsWNCT all 14 news articles »

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NC beaches keep no-swim advisory in place for 2nd day - WNCN

The heat is well and truly on. As summer gets underway, you don't need a plane ticket to hit the beach. The Independent's team has picked some of their favourite beaches around the UK.

To be alone and at one with the elements, aim for the beach at Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris. The outer shore of the Outer Hebrides is the raw edge of Britain, where the soundtrack rumbles with the weary roar of an ocean at the end of a 3,000-mile journey. Youll find turquoise water of implausible clarity and ice-white sand, sculpted into unworldly shapes by the west wind. Simon Calder, travel correspondent

Part of the beauty of Bossiney is the trek to get down there. Tucked away between better-known Boscastle and Tintagel, you park in a little layby at the top and follow a footpath across sheep-filled fields down to the beach (its steep and far from wheelchair-accessible). Its small, but usually quiet, with soft golden sand bordered by an elephant-shaped rock on the cliff face on one side, and a huge cave on the other. Emma Henderson, assistant app features editor

Bamburgh beach is flanked by a castle (Michael Hanselmann/Wikimedia Commons)

For pure windswept beauty, the beach at Bamburgh is hard to beat. It's a great surf spot all year round, with a long, wide beach and towering sand dunes. With the imposing Bamburgh Castle never far from view, it's a unique spot on the Northumberland coast. Dave MacLean, lifestyle editor

I first went to Borth in 2014 whenstorms had uncovered the remains of a prehistoric forestunder the mid-Wales sands. Archaeological excitement aside, this is a gorgeous beach, with shingle giving way to sand as the tides retreat. With two miles of beach, theres plenty of personal space, and the beach ends with the extraordinary sand dunes at Ynyslas nature reserve.Julia Buckley, acting head of travel

Few British cities include a beach in their repertoire. Brighton and Swansea boast strips of shoreline, but are limited in their appeal by, respectively, shingle in Sussex and the backdrop in South Wales. In contrast, the Granite City of Aberdeen has a formidable beach that is perfect for a pre-breakfast dip on a bright morning. After a dip, enjoy the architecture nearby in Old Aberdeen, and Aberdeens exceptional cafe and restaurants.Simon Calder

With surf and family-friendly sands, Polzeath has something for everyone (Getty)

Its David Camerons beach of choice, but dont let that put you off. Polzeath has something for everyone, and in spades: great surf, vast stretches of sand (so you can have your own space), beautiful cliff walks and a seriously good caf-restaurant right on the sand. And the views of the Camel Estuary, and the coastline towards Newquay (so gorgeous its where Poldark is filmed) are pretty peerless. Julia Buckley

Despite being only a few miles east of the sunbathing masses on West Wittering beach, Bracklesham Bay manages to remain a peaceful retreat, even at the heigh of summer. Perhaps that's down to the shingle rather than sand underfoot, but with a good camping chair in tow, who's complaining? There are views of the Isle of Wight, with the sun setting behind the Spinnaker Tower to the west. And for any budding paleontologists, the area is ripe for a spot of fossil-hunting. Jochan Embley, IndyBest writer

The tidal island of Lindisfarne feels so isolated that it's a good pick if you want to get away from it all. The beach isn't quite as nice as some of the others in the area, but if you're lucky with the tide times you can head out there before 10am, be cut off by the sea for most of the day, then head back to the mainland in mid-afternoon. Do check first! Dave MacLean

Oddicombe beach in Devon is a classic British beach (Derek Harper (CC))

Having spent all my childhood summers on these two neighbouring beaches in Torquay on the south coast of Devon, no one will ever be able to convince me they arent everything the British seaside should be. Oddicombe, surrounded by dramatic red cliffs that are fast being eroded by the sea, boasts a good-sized stretch of sand, a quaint shop selling the same colourful buckets and spades it was probably stocking 50 years ago, and, best of all, an actual cliff railway. This jolly little funicular makes short work of an otherwise rather languid stroll down a winding road, costing 2.50 for a return. As if this wasnt quaint enough, visitors can also enjoy the simple pleasures of the Babbacombe model village just down the road, a genuinely brilliant experience, and Bygones, a recreation of a life-sized Victorian shopping street (because, well, why not?). Its all so Famous FiveHelen Coffey, deputy head of travel

As a large fishing village, Seahouses is a great beach for seafood lovers. During the week you'll find the extensive beach relatively empty, but at weekends there's the buzzing streets with pub and restaurant options. If it gets too hot there's the option of breezy boat trips to the nearby Farne Islands. Dave MacLean

Holkham's a favourite with royalty - and their cavalry (Getty)

This is a really beautiful beach a wide stretch of sand backed by dunes and pine forest thats completely unspoiled, as its in the middle of a nature reserve. It also comes with royal approval the Queen used to take her children there, and Anmer Hall is nearby. Its a bit of a trek to get there, and you need to take everything with you as there are no shops or stalls, but its very much worth it. Jon di Paolo, deputy news editor

Built into the side of the cliff at Summerleaze beach in the 1930s, Budes outdoor seapool is one of the oldest and largest in the country. It was nearly lost the council deemed it unsafe after storm damage in 2010 but well-wishers funded repairs. And thank goodness they did, as the 91m long and 45m wide provides a safe and sea-like experience for children and other swimmers to play and train in safety in natural sea water that washes in and out at every tide. Emma Henderson

Broadstairs on the Kent coast is an old-school seaside town and Viking Bay is its most traditional, family-friendly beach. A horseshoe of golden sand sheltered by white cliffs, hosts plenty of room for sun-worshippers, rock-poolers and little swimmers, as well as kids rides, beach huts and a surf school (serious wave-seekers head to nearby Joss Bay). Theres a clifftop promenade to take in the views of Charles Dickens favourite holiday destination and you can easily walk round to neighbouring Thanet towns Ramsgate or Margate. Sally Newall, IndyBest editor

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13 of the UK's best beaches, from Cornwall to the Outer Hebrides - The Independent

Violators to face fines over Walton County beaches tent ordinance

Tents any larger than six feet by six feet are no longer allowed on public beaches in Walton County and the ordinance behind it has drawn ire from vacationers.

The ordinance was put into effect on April 1 and bans large tents. Vacationers say it will force them to pull up stakes and move down the beach.

Josh Westberry has spent his adult life in the beach chair business and he has spent Monday morning calling code enforcement.

"Those large tents, they have been more and more common, and with more windstorms we are getting; they fly, people get hit by them and they are really hard to control," Westberry said. "I mean, when my umbrellas fly, they can hit somebody and knock them out. Something with that much surface area, it's just gonna fly and not stop. And they break and people leave them on the beach, it's a hassle."

Walton County TDC Representative David Demarest said the ordinance is about 'Leave No Trace' principles.

"You are allowed to have a beach umbrella or a smaller tent, so I don't think this is something that makes a difference in terms of pushing people away," Demarest said.

However, visitors like Dan Mayberry think the county's ordinance digs itself into a hole. He puts up the tent to protect him, his wife and his kids from the sun.

"I think it's kind of silly. One, there is no sign posted, two, I just don't think that if you have little babies you would want it not be able to put up a 10 by 10 tent," Mayberry said.

And after a 13-hour drive from St. Louis, he has second thoughts about coming back. For now he will just have to cope.

"It kind of stinks, my condo is right here. I rented it for a week. But you know, I'll drive somewhere where I can put the tent up. For sure, that is more important for my family than walking 75 yards," Mayberry said.

The ordinance does not apply to private beaches in Walton County. Anyone Walton County Code Enforcement comes across with an ordinance-violating tent faces a $100 fine.

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Violators to face fines over Walton County beaches tent ordinance - WEAR

Michael Huson The Columbus Dispatch @Mike_Huson

High levels of toxic algae have prompted state officials to post warnings at two Buckeye Lake beaches.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resourcesperformed tests for microcystin, the toxin created by the blue-green algae, after an algae bloom was spotted this month.

Visitors are told to avoid all contact with water when microcystin levels are found to be more than 20 parts per billion.Tests from Fairfield and Crystal beaches at the lake showed levels were at 25 parts per billion, said ODNR spokesman Eric Heis.

The state's safety threshold for swimming is 6 parts per billion. At that level, swimming or wading is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, children or pets.

Exposure can sicken people and pets, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Swallowing contaminated water can result in kidney toxicity, diarrhea, vomiting and, in some cases, death. Skin contact can result in rashes or hives.

"The goal is just to make the public aware that there could be issues with the water," Heis said."Algal blooms are not just on the surface. Sometimes they are underneaththe water, sometimes they are not visible from the surface."

Toxic blue-green algae are common in most Ohio lakes and grow thick in warm, still water by feeding on phosphorus from manure, sewage and fertilizers that rain washes into waterways.

Cyanobacteria are common in Lake Erie and inland lakes, including Grand Lake St. Marys in western Ohio and Buckeye Lake, which are both surrounded by farm land.

In 2014, Toledo's public water supply was tainted with so much microcystin that officials told nearly 500,000 people in northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan to stop drinking tap water.In 2015, the blue-green algae bloom in Lake Erie stretched from Toledo past Cleveland.

Warning signs also are posted at Grand Lake St. Marys in Celina, which has become the poster child for toxic algae blooms in Ohio.

David Pierce, owner of Weldons Ice Cream Factory at Buckeye Lake, said the advisory has not affected business at his shop.

It doesn't usually impact the whole lake, so it could be just isolated areas," he said."While they test it, and it may range above something that is harmful, it doesnt seem to linger or stay there.

Through November 2016, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency conducted almost twice as many tests for harmful toxins produced by blooms than it in 2015, up from about 3,680 tests to more than 6,340 in the first 10 months of 2016. New rules in effect since June 2016 also require statewide weekly monitoring for toxins and bacteria at public water systems.

The state's safety threshold for swimming is 6 parts per billion. At that level, swimming or wading is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, children or pets.

Dave Levacy, owner of Buckeye Lake Marina and a Fairfield County commissioner, said he hopes the algae blooms will lessen as crews continue to dredge the lake as part of state project to rebuild the dam there.

"Whenever you have high temperatures, like we had the last week, then that kind of happens," he said of the blooms. "But, in the last few years, I have seen less and less of it."

Merv Bartholow, founding director of Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization that has been studying the lake for 10 years, said despite the recent bloom, the quality of water cominginto the lake has improved over the past 10 years.

"The levels of nutrients, right now, that are coming into the lake are very low, we've been checking it all spring, as well as thewater in thelake itself," he said."The lake is going in the right direction, but the lower levels, the hot weather, and so forth it's just too much."

mhuson@dispatch.com

@Mike_Huson

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State warns of toxic algae at two Buckeye Lake beaches - The Columbus Dispatch

Barracks Beach and Beach 7 have a swimming restriction in effect.

Presque Isle State Park officials on Monday issued a swimming restriction for Barracks Beach and Beach 7 and a precautionary swim advisory for Beaches 6, 9, 10 and 11 because of elevated E.colibacteria counts.

According to Erie County Department of Health protocol, if E. coli counts exceed 1,000 per 100 milliliters of water, a swimming restriction is issued for that beach. The bacteria count for Barracks Beach was 1,090 and the count for Beach 7 was 1,210.

During swimming restrictions, park visitors are not permitted to enter the water at the affected beach until E.coli counts are below 1,000. Those beaches are still open to the public for sunbathing and other recreational opportunities.

The precautionary advisory was issued based off research sample plate counts that contained elevated E. coli bacteria counts, park officials said.

According to Erie County Department of Health protocol, if E. coli bacteria counts are between 235 and 999 per 100 milliliters of water, a swimming advisory is posted for a beach. A precautionary swimming advisory will remain until bacteria counts are less than 235.

Retesting of the waters will be performed daily until the counts decrease, officials said. Beaches under a precautionary swimming advisory are still open to the public for swimming, sunbathing and other recreational opportunities.

Presque Isle State Park has 13 regulated swimming beaches.

For information, call the park office at 833-7424.

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Swimming restriction issued for two Presque Isle beaches - GoErie.com

Water wheelchairs in Maine

Beth McEvoy , WCSH 8:41 PM. EDT June 19, 2017

Floating wheelchair donated to town of Wells to help people with disabilities get to the beach.

WELLS, Maine (NEWS CENTER) Summer is a time for fun, for travel and for family vacations, and what better place to go then Vacationland itself.

Floating wheelchair donated to town of Wells to help people with disabilities get to the beach.

But for people who have a family member with a disability, vacations can be overwhelming, if not completely impossible.

The town of Wells is trying to make it a little easier for people with disabilities to enjoy the beach this summer season.

Linda Rizzo, with the town of Wells, says a foundation in Massachusetts is giving the town a floating wheelchair.

The floating wheelchair is designed to bring carriers right in the water so they can enjoy, not only the sand, but the surf as well.

#

Exciting news! Wheelchairs like these are coming to Maine beaches in Wells and Ocean Park in OOB for free! NEWSCENTERmaine pic.twitter.com/Y6GtAusXZO

Smile Mass is a foundation started by two mothers who both have children with disabilities and found it daunting to go on vacation. Their mission is simple: give families a vacation or even a day trip unencumbered by barriers.

Smile Mass founders say the average person does not understand what it takes for a special needs family to do regular things, like go to the beach.

Think of a regular wheelchair trying to get through sand. It doesnt work.

The floating chair is equipped with three wheels that are wider but smaller than those of a traditional wheelchair. It also has two flotation devices in lieu of armrests.

Rizzo called the non-profit just a week ago inquiring about a floating wheelchair, and by Monday the women were in Wells to deliver the chair.

Rizzo says the town of Wells is still trying to figure out where they will keep the chair and how they will get the word out to people that it exists.

The town of Wells already had a floating wheelchair that a private resident had bought for herself but wanted to share with others. Rizzo says that chair has not been used as much as the town would like.

Rizzo says not only will the chair be good for people with special needs, it will be good for tourism in town. Being a tourist town we need to support the people who want to come here so ifyou can have a nice family vacation in Wells you are going to do it every year, says Rizzo.

Smile Mass also provides people on vacation with regular wheelchairs. Rizzo says it can be expensive to rent a wheelchair for vacation so Smile Mass will deliver one to people on vacation for free

Smile Mass also has a list of beaches that have floating wheelchairs. For more information go here.

2017 WCSH-TV

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Floating wheelchair helps people with disabilities enjoy Maine's ... - WCSH-TV

The beaches in Chicago are an extensive network of waterfront recreational areas operated by the Chicago Park District. The Chicago metropolitan waterfront includes parts of the Lake Michigan shores as well as parts of the banks of the Chicago, Des Plaines, Calumet, Fox, and DuPage Rivers and their tributaries.[1] The waterfront also includes the Illinois and Michigan Canal and the Sanitary and Ship Canal.[1] Historically, the waterfront has been used for commerce, industry, and leisure. Leisure, such as fishing, swimming, hunting, walking and boating, was much more prevalent throughout the river sections of the waterfront system early in the 19th century before industrial uses altered the landscape. By midcentury, much leisure shifted to Lake Michigan as a result of industrial influence. The first City of Chicago Public Beach opened in Lincoln Park in 1895.[2] Today, the entire 28 miles (45km) Chicago lakefront shoreline is man-made, and primarily used as parkland.[3] There are twenty-four beaches in Chicago along the shores of freshwater Lake Michigan.[4]

Typically, Chicago beaches take the name of the east-west street that runs perpendicular to the lake at each beach's location.

Chicago's earliest sand beaches resulted naturally from capturing sand as it moved south along the shoreline toward the Indiana Dunes but these were dynamic and shifted and eroded. When Chicago began building peers and other structures into the lake large sandy beaches formed.[5] Early beaches were generally funded by private entities such as hotels and private clubs.[6] Late 19th century city ordinances prohibited public bathing, but popular norms created demand for public beaches.[6][7] Proponents saw public beaches as an opportunity to accommodate demand for public baths and eliminate the expenditure of enforcement resources on ordinance violations for public bathing.[6] The city responded by opening the first public bathing beach in 1895 in Lincoln Park primarily as a response to the efforts of the Free Bath and Sanitary League (formerly the Municipal Order League).[6] Spaces were designated for public use and the city accepted responsibility for maintaining the beaches. By 1900 the lakefront was divided into zones of recreational, residential, agricultural and industrial uses. Lake Michigan water quality concerns lead to the reversal of the Chicago river with deep cut of the Illinois & Michigan canal in 1871 and the construction of the Sanitary and Ship Canal at the start of the 20th century.[1] The 1909 Burnham Plan led to development of the lakefront.[1] Recreational development on the city lakefront became a priority due to the influence of Aaron Montgomery Ward. His belief that the public's access to the Lake left its impression on the development of Jackson, Burnham, Grant and Lincoln Parks.[3] Continued popular support, led to the opening of several municipal beaches in the second decade of the 20th century.[6] Modern beaches are formed from a combination of sand deposited by lake current, and human deposited inland sand from nearby sand-pits left by the last ice age, as well as sand dredged from the lake bottom.[5]

In 2013, Cisco, Everywhere Wireless and the Chicago Park District began Free Wi-Fi service at North Avenue Beach, Rainbow Beach, Montrose Beach, Foster Beach, and Kathy Osterman (fka Hollywood Beach).[8]

The far north Rogers Park neighborhood contains a series of small "street-end" beaches that unlike most Chicago beaches are often separated by private property and therefore, unconnected to each other by public parkland. This accounts for the seemingly large number of beaches in this one neighborhood.

Juneway Terrace Beach is the northernmost beach in Chicago. It is located at 7800 north and Lake Michigan.[9] It lies within Rogers Avenue Beach and Park. It is separated from Rogers Beach by a stretch of rip rap protecting three apartment buildings.

Rogers Beach lies in Rogers Avenue Beach and Park at 7705 north.[9] Barely one block long, the park also has tennis courts.

Howard Beach lies in Howard Street Beach and Park at 7600 north,[9] which is just south of Howard Street. It is perhaps 213 feet (65 m) long.

Jarvis beach located at 7400 north and Fargo beach is located at 7432 north.[9] Offshore stretches of riprap act to reduce erosion of this beach, which is about three blocks long.

In 2015, the beach was named in honor of architect Marion Mahony Griffin. The Australian Counsel General, Roger Price, attended the beach's dedication for the woman who was instrumental in the design the Australian capital of Canberra. When she returned to the United States in 1939, after her husband's death, she lived near the beach.[10]

420035N 873931W / 42.009605N 87.658496W / 42.009605; -87.658496

Located at 7032 North Sheridan and extending for eight blocks, Leone Beach is Chicago's largest.[11]

Contiguous with Leone/Loyola Beach located at 1050 West Pratt Boulevard. Formerly named Pratt Boulevard Beach, it was renamed for local neighborhood activist Tobey Prinz by the Chicago Park District in 2014.[9][12]

Also known as Albion Beach, contiguous with North Shore Beach, located at 6600 north,[9] ends just north of Loyola Avenue. Named for former 49th Ward Alderman David L. Hartigan.

Columbia Beach is located at 6726 north.[9]

North Shore Beach is located at 6700 north.[9]

Hamilton Beach is currently closed due to a dredging project scheduled for completion in late 2014.

Lincoln Park is Chicago's largest public park and contains the city's remaining north side lake front beaches, running for seven miles (11km) through the communities of Edgewater, Uptown, Lake View, Lincoln Park, and Near North.

Lane Beach Park, more commonly known as Thorndale Beach, is located at 5934 north in Edgewater at the intersection of Sheridan Road and Thorndale Avenue.[9] This was once a standalone beach, as recently as the 1970s, but shifting sand has connected it to Hollywood Beach to the south. More recently, hard frozen waves that formed during the winter of 2015 carried much of the sand away, isolating the beach again.

There is a boardwalk ramp, to allow stroller or wheelchair access closer to the shoreline as well as a modern playground for children.

The park and beach was named for George A. Lane (1903-1974), a Chicago lawyer heavily involved in community development and politics. Lane also served as a faculty member at nearby Loyola University.[14]

Hollywood Beach looking North to Thorndale

Located at the 5800 North block where Lake Shore Drive ends at a curve that feeds into Sheridan Road (near West Hollywood Avenue and North Lake Shore Drive; 415911.51N 87399.38W / 41.9865306N 87.6526056W / 41.9865306; -87.6526056 ) in Edgewater, this crescent-shaped beach serves two groups. The northern half is largely a family beach and the southern half is largely a gay and lesbian beach.[15] The northern half of the beach has shallow water which makes it kid-friendly and there is a long boardwalk ramp to allow closer access to the shoreline for strollers and wheelchairs near the Ardmore Avenue entrance.[16] Beach volleyball is popular here. There is a beach house and concession stand, which opened in 2010. Unique among Lincoln Park's northern beaches there is no nearby parking lot.

In the upper beach, north of Ardmore and the boardwalk, near Thorndale beach is a small park district beach grass reserve for migrating birds and butterflies.

Foster Avenue Beach is located at 5200 north (415844N 873858W / 41.978826N 87.649355W / 41.978826; -87.649355).[9] It is a popular beach in the Edgewater section of the city. It was part of Lincoln Parks final landfill extension completed in the 1950s between Foster Avenue and Ardmore Avenue. The design and planning for the extension started in 1947, with construction and fill beginning three years later. The work on the beach continued over the rest of the fifties, being concluded in 1958. The original beach house for the site, like the existing ones at Montrose and North Ave., was designed by E.V Buchsbaum. It was constructed sometime in the late 1950s and early 1960s. A new beach house with improved amenities was constructed in the 1990s.

Montrose Avenue Beach

The dog beach at Montrose Avenue Beach

New patio deck addition to the beach house

A panorama of the beach in May 2014

Montrose beach is Chicago's largest beach. It is located in Uptown.[17] It also houses the most parking of any beach in Chicago. It is one of few beaches where patrons may launch non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks and catamarans, into Lake Michigan. It also has one of only two dog beaches in the Chicago Park District, making it a popular beach for dog lovers. In the fenced-off section at the north end of the beach, leashless dogs are permitted on the sand. Montrose beach hosts the Junior Guard regional championships, the annual Beach Soccer Festival, and numerous runs and walks for various charities. The beach house on the south end of the beach was designed by E.V. Buchsbaum. It was modeled after the North Avenue Beach house and looks like a lake steamer. Unfortunately, in the 1950s, the east wing of the beach house burned in a fire and was not rebuilt.[18] The beach house was remodeled with a 3,000-square-foot (280m2) patio deck, and it will house only the third full-service restaurant, named "The Dock at Montrose Beach", at a Chicago beach after Oak Street Beachstro and North Avenue's Castaways. It is part of the Park District's plan to add "more upscale concessions to the lakefront".[19] Due to budget constraints Chicago eliminated the traditional July 3 fireworks in Grant Park, instead opting for a down-scaled fireworks displays in three different locations in Chicago on the 4th of July. The north side display is held annually at Montrose Beach.[20]

415503N 873739W / 41.9175N 87.6275W / 41.9175; -87.6275 (North Avenue Beach)

North Avenue Beach

At night facing the beach house

During day facing the beach house

chess players at North Ave beach in 1973

The North Avenue Beach, located at 1600 north,[9] is considered by many to be Chicago's premier beach. It has the largest lifeguard staff and is home to the most developed beachhouse. Technically running from North Avenue to Diversey Harbor in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, North Avenue Beach is characterized by its piers which hold the sand in place and create a scalloped shoreline, terminating in a Cape Cod-like hook. The beach hosts international volleyball tournaments as well as millions of sun worshippers every year. Chicago Park District lines the beach with poles for individuals and leagues to hang volleyball nets. These nets and this portion of the lakefront bike/running/blading path attract large numbers of people on weekends and weeknights. North Avenue is also center stage for the Chicago Air & Water Show, which draws over a million people a day from Ohio to Diversey along the lakefront. North Avenue Beach is the site of the annual AVP Chicago Open.

The beach house resembles an ocean liner[21] and contains bike and sports equipment rental, a bar and restaurant (Castaways), concession stand, a lifeguard station, and restrooms.

Oak Street Beach, located at 1000 north,[9] covers the area from the North Avenue 'Hook' Pier south to Ohio Street Beach (Illinois St. Beach, Olive Beach), about 1.5mi (2km). Oak Street is home to the largest area of deep water swimming in the city (1/2 mile (800 m) over 10ft (3 m)). Until 2006 Oak Street Beach was also the only place in the city where SCUBA divers could dive close to the shore. The north ledge was once a hot spot for the city's gay community, and still is a second home to thousands of sunbathers, runners, skaters and bikers. At one point Oak Street was the city's most popular beach with its proximity to downtown and boasted tens of thousands of visitors each day. Oak Street Beach is also home to Chicago's only chess pavilion and an outdoor restaurant called the Oak Street Beachstro that is assembled every summer and dismantled at the end of the season.

This beach, located in Lincoln Park adjacent to Addams Memorial Park and Olive Park, is just north of Ohio Street (400N)[9] east of Lake Shore Drive. It faces north, rather than the usual east, because it formed on its own in a bay created by the Jardine Water Purification Plant which juts out into the Lake. Due to its unusual orientation, Ohio Street Beach serves as an ideal training site for open water swimming. One can swim north 0.5 miles (800m) to the Oak Street curve without ever being more than a few feet from the seawall and shallow water.

Burnham Park runs for 6 miles (9.7km) along Chicago's lakefront from Grant Park in the north to Jackson Park in the south, through the neighborhoods of Near South, Douglas, Oakland, Kenwood and Hyde Park.

415148.53N 873626.97W / 41.8634806N 87.6074917W / 41.8634806; -87.6074917

The 12th Street Beach is just south of the Adler Planetarium on Northerly Island (formerly the site of Meigs Field). The beach runs from about 1300 S to about 1450 S, but was named 12th Street Beach rather than (unlucky) 13th Street Beach. When 12th Street was renamed Roosevelt Road the beach retained its name, but now is sometimes called 14th Street Beach.

There is also open water swimming that is great for triathletes or avid open water swimmers. The beach has bathrooms, a concession stand, and a lifeguard station.

No longer extant, of the Chicago Race Riot of 1919.

415020.75N 873622.49W / 41.8390972N 87.6062472W / 41.8390972; -87.6062472

The Margaret Taylor Burroughs Beach is located in Burnham Park near 31st Street. The beach is host every year to the Junior Lifeguard Chicago Area Tug-o-War. Near the beachouse is a large modern playground.[22]

In 2015, it was named in honor of artist, educator and museum founder, Margaret Taylor-Burroughs. Burroughs was a founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History and the Southside Community Art Center[23]

4100 S. Lake Shore Drive (41st St. and Lake Michigan, parking at Oakwood Blvd.)

49th Street Beach is a small stone beach in Burnham Park. It is not guarded, so swimming is not allowed.

414729.88N 873446.16W / 41.7916333N 87.5794889W / 41.7916333; -87.5794889

The 57th Street Beach is in the city's Hyde Park neighborhood, across Lake Shore Drive from the Museum of Science and Industry. Recent renovations have made it easier to access with two large underpasses at the intersection of 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive. 57th Street Beach provides an area of deep swimming south of Promontory Point.

414655.43N 873422.83W / 41.7820639N 87.5730083W / 41.7820639; -87.5730083

The 63rd Street Beach is in Jackson Park. It is home to the largest and oldest beach house in the City. In July 1913, Jackson Park Beach was the site of a clash over required bathing attire when Dr. Rosalie Ladova was arrested for disorderly conduct for swimming in her bloomers after removing her bathing skirt.[24] The establishment of the landmark beach house came about due to the resident's of the area complaining to the city to extend the beach. Thus in 1914, the city ordered a 10-acre (40,000m2) expansion to 63rd St. The South Park Commission architects came up with the plan to build the 63rd Street Pavilion. The construction was completed in 1919. The building historically provided showers, medical rooms, and bathrooms. Due to the building's age, it was restored in 2000. Today the pavilion is used by boaters, beach goers, and can be used for special events.[25]

63rd Street Bathing Pavilion

There are three beach areas in the South Shore, Chicago community.

South Shore Beach is the beach behind the Chicago Park District's South Shore Cultural Center (formerly South Shore Country Club), which is located at the intersection of 71st and South Shore Drive. The Country club is a magnificent old building and it is home to a ballroom, restaurant, golf course and tennis courts. The Beach also runs up against 67th street beach and Jackson Park

Ashe Beach Park is a newer addition to the Chicago Park District's beaches, bought in 1979 and named for the late tennis great Arthur Ashe, after he died of AIDS in 1993. In addition to the beach, the park features two tennis courts. It is located between 74th and 75th Streets in the South Shore community.[26]

Rainbow Beach is officially located at 3111 E. 77th St.,[27] is a beach in the Chicago Park District's Rainbow Beach & Park that stretches from 75th Street to 78th Street on the Lake Michigan shoreline.[28] Rainbow Beach was named such in 1918.

Starting with the 1919 Race Riot, Chicago had a history of race related disturbances in the 20th century related to use of public resources, such as parks and beaches. Rainbow Beach was an area of controversy for black and white youth. Black families that were economically dependent on the nearby South Chicago steel mills had avoided the public hostility of the lifeguards and white bathers. Demographic shifts and racial climate change of the 1960s led to a July 7 and 8, 1961 freedom wade-in at Rainbow Beach staged by an interracial coalition of demonstrators, including members of the NAACP Youth Council.[29]

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List of beaches in Chicago - Wikipedia

New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV

Swimmers beware: No bathing at these Nassau County beaches ... New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV MINEOLA, N.Y. An advisory has been issued against bathing at more than a dozen beaches in Nassau County due to elevated levels of bacteria on Sunday, ... Nassau Officials Issue Advisory Against Swimming At 14 Beaches ...CBS New York all 2 news articles »

Link:

Swimmers beware: No bathing at these Nassau County beaches ... - New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV

"We are extremely upset about this. It is a hugely stupid idea. We can't afford $100-plus in fines for protecting ourselves."

Bill Headley and his group of 18 family members drove for 12 hours last weekend from Indiana to reach their vacation destination of Miramar Beach.

One of their first stops was a beach supply store to stock up on beach toys, including large tents.

Sunday afternoon as the family lounged under their tents, the group was approached by a Walton County Sheriff's deputy and a Code Enforcement Officer and told they would have to take their tents down or be fined $100 because their tents were too large.

"This so-called ordinance is not posted, does not exist on the county website, and is a cause of great concern to virtually 20-30 groups using such tents today," said Headley's sister-in-law, Jill Ley. "We will initiate a social media campaign to inform folks like us to find another beach that is more friendly to tourists than vendors. We are extremely upset about this. It is a hugely stupid idea. We can't afford $100-plus in fines for protecting ourselves."

Ley said the officer allowed the group to leave up their large 9-by-9 tents that day, but told that if they brought them back, they would be cited.

Although the family was not aware of the ordinance, and when told about it could not find it on the Walton County website, Walton County Public Information Director Louis Svehla said the ordinance and all beach rules can be found on the Walton County website and the Tourist Development Council website.

Walton County's beach ordinance was adopted April 1 and states that tents larger than 6-by-6 are not allowed on public beaches.

"Foolish rules are made every day," said Headley. "We don't have to come here. There are other beaches we can go to. We have been to beaches all over Florida and we have never encountered this. People are going to stop coming here because of this."

Beach operations manager Brian Kellenberger told The Sun it will take a while to get the word out about Walton County's new rules, and that is to be expected.

"Marketing people don't like negative messages, but we are moving it in that direction," he said.

Walton County's new beach rules will be put out on social media, in the beachgoers guide, and on the website. The Volunteer Beach Ambassadors will help also. The county is looking at changing signage, but that is quite an undertaking, said Kellenberger.

"We're changing the culture here," he said. "It used to be when you get to the beach it's game on, but our beaches are heavily congested. People used to free run, but because of the heavy congestion we have to make rules."

Read more:

Tourists upset about new Walton beach ordinance - The Northwest Florida Daily News

THE ISSUE: Although water quality is generally good at Massachusetts beaches, issues remain in some areas.

THE IMPACT: An average of 4.9 percent of samples from marine beaches and 3.8 percent of samples from freshwater beaches test positive for elevated bacteria levels.

Rain can put a damper on summer fun in a variety of ways.

Not only does heavy rain keep people indoors, but it also can overflow sewer systems and carry garbage to the coast, sometimes causing a temporary spike in unsafe bacteria levels at beaches.

Theres filthy, bacteria-laden storm water, which typically gets to the beach after running into storm drains in the road, said Bruce Berman, a spokesman for Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. When you think about rain, it washes everything in the streets into storm drains.

Water quality in Massachusetts beaches is generally good, Berman said, but some issues remain, particularly around urban beaches.

The vast majority of the time, issues are minimal.

Last summer, state and local agencies collected a total of 15,604 water samples from 586 marine beach sites and 594 freshwater beach sites. About 3.5 percent of samples from ocean beaches and 3 percent of freshwater samples tested positive for elevated bacteria levels, compared to historic averages of 4.9 percent and 3.8 percent respectively. Last years drought, according the public health officials, was likely a factor in lower bacteria levels.

Click on the markers to find out more about the beaches at which bacteria tested high enough to close a beach to swimmers during the 2016 summer season. Blue markers are at beaches that were closed for one day, yellow markers are at beaches that were closed for two days, orange markers are at beaches closed for three days, pink markers are at beaches closed for four or five days, and red markers are at beaches that were closed for 10 or more days.

Wicked Local Graphic/Caitlyn Kelleher

Overall, Massachusetts beaches have excellent water quality, said Dr. Marc A. Nascarella, chief toxicologist and director of the Department of Public Healths Environmental Toxicology Program.

A challenge for beaches, particularly those in urban areas, is old sewer infrastructure, which can cause underground sewer pipes to leak into stormwater pipes when theres heavy rain.

Rainfall is the most significant driver of bacteria exceedances in Massachusetts, Nascarella said.

Last summer, there were 160 no swimming postings at marine beaches, with beaches in Boston, Lynn and Quincy being closed the most often. Most closures were due to high bacteria levels, but rip currents, shark sightings and other factors also caused some postings.

At inland, freshwater beaches there were 114 postings in 2016, with beaches in Brimfield, Templeton and West Tisbury reporting the highest number of high-bacteria samples. In addition to bacteria, algae blooms often caused by fertilizer runoff caused closures at freshwater beaches.

Overall, Massachusetts has 529 public marine and 549 freshwater public beaches.

Human fecal matter can enter beach water in a variety of ways, including sewage treatment system failures, combined sewer overflows, discharge of sewage by boats, re-suspension of sediments, and rainfall and resulting surface runoff, Nascarella said.

Exposure to high concentrations of fecal bacteria can cause symptoms including gastrointestinal sickness, cold symptoms and skin rashes.

Berman said neglecting infrastructure decades ago caused water quality problems, and investing in repairs is a main part of the solution.

Thirty years ago, Boston Harbor was a national disgrace, he said. Our waste washed up on shore from Cape Cod to Cape Ann. Today, were talking about elevated bacteria on handful of beaches that we need to address. We have a lot of progress to be proud of. We just have to finish the job.

Excerpt from:

Water quality good at most Massachusetts beaches; Issues remain at some urban spots - Wicked Local Framingham

TWC News

Rip currents keeping lifeguards busy at NC beaches | Charlotte ... Charlotte Observer Potentially deadly rip currents are keeping lifeguards busy at beaches on the central North Carolina coast. Emerald Isle lifeguards reported 13 rescues on ... High Threat for Rip Currents Continues This Weekend at Some NC ...TWC News Rip current warning issued for eastern N.C. beaches - WNCTWNCT all 4 news articles »

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Rip currents keeping lifeguards busy at NC beaches | Charlotte ... - Charlotte Observer

Going down to the Jersey Shore is a popular summer tradition with mid-Atlantic residents from New York, Philadelphia and, of course, New Jersey. Busy city dwellers trade a subway for a beach cruiser and embrace a vacation of boogie-boarding, beachcombing and cruising the boardwalk. While basic hotel accommodations are available all along the Shore, most visitors choose to get comfortable in a rented house, ranging from simple condos to beachfront mansions. Here's our selection of the best Jersey Shore beach towns, from north to south.

Spring Lake Spring Lake is one of the more refined spots on the Jersey Shore with stately homes, quiet beaches and a non-commercial boardwalk. And then there's the namesake lake situated in the middle of town, lined with weeping willows and quiet nooks, perfect for a serene evening stroll. The Breakers Hotel has undergone some name changes and lots of renovations since it first opened in the late 1800s. With its wraparound porch, it is a majestic presence on the beach and the only beachside hotel in town. Spring Lake is just 60 miles from downtown New York and is accessible by train from the city, making it a popular day-trip or quick weekend getaway for New Yorkers.

Island Beach State Park Island Beach State Park is a protected barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. This 10-mile stretch of unspoiled beach is far removed from the frantic pace and nonstop activity at nearby Seaside Heights. Little has changed here since the Native Americans and early explorers enjoyed the shore hundreds of years ago. The beach's rolling dunes and dense forests are home to red foxes, osprey and a variety of shore birds. Unlike other NJ beaches that charge per person, here you pay a flat fee for your vehicle. Plan to arrive early on weekends and summer holidays as staff closes the beach to new guests once the parking lot is full.

Long Beach Island Long Beach Island, or LBI as it's known to the regulars, has 18 miles of fine silky sand and some of the best breaks along the Shore. With its boozy nightlife and busy beach scene, Beach Haven is popular with the young crowd spending weekends at the Shore. Ship Bottom is a popular family spot with a playground and calm bay beach away from the ocean's currents at 15th Street. Surfing is permitted at 19 spots along some of the area's best beaches, including Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars, Surf City and Ship Bottom. Whether you're a diehard surfer or just watch from the beach, you'll want to check out the original Ron Jonshop in Ship Bottom. The first Ron Jon surf shop opened here in 1961, and today this 4-story surfing emporium sells everything from boards to board shorts for those who just want to look the part.

Ocean City Known as the America's Greatest Family Resort, Ocean City is often voted the best beach in New Jersey. There are 8 miles of shore for swimming, boogie-boarding and sandcastles. A wooden boardwalk lines 2-1/2 miles of these beaches, entertaining visitors with rides, mini-golf, carnival games and a water park. A spin on the Ferris wheel followed by some free fudge samples is the pinnacle of nightlife in this dry town, making it a popular spot for families who appreciate old-fashioned fun. The boardwalk scene is even more festive on Thursday nights in July and August with free entertainment including musicians, magicians and karaoke.

Stone Harbor/AvalonTogether, the neighboring towns of Stone Harbor and Avalon form 7 Mile Beach, a wide stretch of shore known for its cool ocean breezes. Bring a kite to the beach in Avalon and watch it soar over the dunes or simply lounge on the sand. Then head to Stone Harbor for the shopping along 96th Street and Third Avenue where surf shops selling the season's best flip-flops sit next to boutiques peddling art, jewelry and quirky souvenirs. No visit is complete without some homemade ice cream from Springer's, which has been scooping the Shore's best for over 8 decades. If you need a break from the beach, head inland to the Wetlands Institute for a kayak tour through the marshland and possible turtle-sightings.

Wildwood Wildwood occupies a unique spot in pop-culture history as the center of Doo Wop in the 1950s and 1960s with colorful motels, bright diners and flashy neon signs. Young people flocked to nightclubs like the Rainbow Club where Chubby Checker first introduced the world to the Twist in 1960. Today, the Doo Wop Preservation League works hard to preserve the space-age architecture and keeps the kitschy spirit alive with historic tours. Today's beach scene may be different from the beach blanket bingo days of old. The twisting and turning is more likely to be experienced at one of the boardwalk's 6 bone-rattling roller coasters or 3 water parks. However, with free admission and a busy boardwalk scene, countless families and groups of friends still stake their spot in the sand amidst a sea of colorful umbrellas.

Cape May You know you've arrived when you reach the mile marker "0" on the Garden State Parkway. As the farthest point south on the Shore, Cape May is the crown jewel of the region with gorgeous beaches and a quaint town center filled with gingerbread Victorians and colorful bed and breakfasts. Bring your binoculars to the beach to spy the playful dolphins jumping in the wake. Just before sundown, head to Sunset Beach to catch the daily lowering of the US flag accompanied by Taps. Then head to town for a cocktail at the hip Brown Room at the stately Congress Hall hotel. Other dinner choices range from the casual seaside ambience at the Lobster House to formal dining at Union Park or the Ebbitt Room. After dinner, peruse the shops in Washington Square, climb aboard a trolley for a slow tour of town or learn about the area's long-term residents on a spooky ghost tour.

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The Jersey Shore | Travel Channel