San Diego beaches

TOXIC ALGAE BLOOM KILLING SEA LIFE REACHES SAN DIEGO BEACHES THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND

 

Red tide toxins can also poison seafood and harm people, pets, fish and seabirds

By Miriam Raftery

Map, left:  Forecast for Saturday, July 1

June 29, 2023 (San Diego) – A red tide containing a toxic algae bloom that has sickened and killed hundreds of sea lions and dolphins off the California coast is forecast to reach San Diego’s beaches as early as tomorrow. By Saturday, July 1st, the red tide will be impacting all San Diego beaches, with levels of the potent neurotoxin domoic acid at double the 500 nanograms per liter considered harmful.

That’s according to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, which issued a press advisory today with this forecasting tool.


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SEWAGE SPILLS CLOSES MORE LOCAL BEACHES AND BAYS

 

Warnings issued for beaches from North County to South Bay, impacting beach safety for humans and dogs

East County News Service

File photo by Tony Webster,Friendship Park sewage warning sign in Imperial Beach cc 2.0

Update May 29, 2023: The closure is lifted for the Coronado Lifeguard Tower and North Beach Shorelines. Recent water quality samples meet State health standards.  Warnings at other beaches remain in effect.

May 27, 2023 (San Diego) – Sewage spills in Tijuana have contaminated many local beaches. Some South Bay beaches have been closed for months or more, including Imperial Beach and Tijuana Slough shoreline. Earlier this month, the Coronado shoreline was shutdown by county health officials, after earlier closing the Silver Strand.

This Memorial Day weekend, the county has also issued advisories warning consumers of pollution at the following beaches:

  • San Diego River Outlet – Dog Beach, Ocean Beach
  • North Cove, Vacation Isle
  • Oceanside Pier at Surfrider Way
  • Comfort Station at Leisure Lagoon
  • Fanuel Park
  • Fiesta Island Northwest Shoreline
  • San Elijo Lagoon
  • Childrens Pool

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FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND FORECAST: FIRE WEATHER AND RIP CURRENTS

By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – The weather will be warming up over the Fourth of July weekend. But before you head to the beach, be aware that elevated surf is forecast to generate strong rip currents that will be hazardous to swimmers this weekend and next week.

On Sunday and Monday,  breezy winds, warmer conditions and low relative humidity will create elevated fire weather conditions, says meteorologist Casey Oswant with the National Weather Service. The conditions are “favorable for fast-moving grass fires,” Oswant cautions.


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BACK TO THE BEACH: COUNTY EASES RESTRICTIONS

By Miriam Raftery

May 29, 2020 (San Diego) –  Just in time for summertime weather, beach towels and chairs can be brought to local beaches for lounging on the sand starting Tuesday, June 2nd. But some restrictions remain under the new rules announced yesterday by the County’s Health and Human Services Agency.

Sitting or sunbathing together is only allowed with people in your own household. You must maintain six feet of social distancing from others, and wear a mask if you come within six feet of anyone such as when passing someone while walking or jogging.  Parking lots and piers are still closed, so plan on walking to reach those sandy shores. Group activities such as volleyball or football remain prohibited.

All beach communities have agreed to these eased restrictions, however cities have the power to determine how to enforce the guidelines and whether to reimpose limits if people don’t follow the rules.


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MORE PUBLIC PLACES SHUT DOWN DUE TO VISITORS CROWDING ATTRACTIONS, IGNORING SOCIAL DISTANCING

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2020 (San Diego) – As COVID-19 continues its rapid spread in San Diego and people eager to exercise or socialize crowd into outdoor public spaces, more are shutting down including most local beaches as well as many parks and trails.

Here’s the latest on what’s open and closed.

While it's best to stay home if you have space to exercise and get fresh air there, if you do venture out to public spaces, be sure to maintain social distance of six feet from anyone not in your famliy and so that the few remaining places to enjoy nature won’t be shut down, too. No groups of 10 or more are allowed anywhere in the state.  The Sheriff has said that those violating social distancing rules may be arrested, fined, and jailed.


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SOME BEACHES, PARKS AND TRAILS SHUT DOWN AS CROWDS DEFY ORDERS, 205 LOCAL COVID-19 CASES CONFIRMED

By Miriam Raftery

March 22, 2020 (San Diego) – This weekend, crowds of mostly young people defied orders by the Governor and San Diego County banning groups of 10 or more and requiring social distancing of six feet.  As a result, police shut down parking lots at city beaches, some parks were ordered closed, and Cleveland National Forest closed down trails to Cedar Creek and Three Sisters Falls in East County.

Tonight County health officials announce that 205 people in San Diego County have tested positive for COVID-19, including 178 county residents and 16 non-residents. The first death of a San Diego resident from the new coronavirus occurred after the man, who was in his 70s, traveled to Hawaii and was being treated in Santa Clara County.

Cases have been confirmed in the cities of Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, La Mesa, National City, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista, as well as the unincorporated areas of Fallbrook, Lakeside, Ramona and Rancho Santa Fe.


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DON'T GO IN THE WATER: RAIN BRINGS URBAN RUNOFF TO COUNTY BEACHES

   

March 8, 2013 (San Diego)--The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff. Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation.

While many coastal storm drains within San Diego County are permanently posted with white metal warning signs, additional temporary warning signs are not posted for General Advisories. Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain.


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STORM TO BRING 10-FOOT WAVES TO SAN DIEGO

November 27, 2012 (San Diego)- A storm brewing over the northeast Pacific is expected to bring powerful swells and waves up to 10 feet high to San Diego’s coast this week, with the biggest breakers expected on Friday.  But dudes, don’t grab those surfboards and head west--according to the National Weather Service, “very strong rip currents will make for dangerous swimming conditions.” 


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COUNTY WARNS OF POSSIBLE BEACH CONTAMINATION FROM STORM RUN-OFF

December 12, 2011 (San Diego)--The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that the levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff.


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RAIN BRINGS URBAN RUNOFF TO BEACHES: COUNTY WARNS OF CONTAMINATION


November 20, 2011 (San Diegio)--The County Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain due to elevated bacteria levels. This includes all coastal beaches, Mission Bay and San Diego Bay.


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