As coastal state parks have reopened to public use, the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program has resumed monitoring Oregon beaches for harmful bacteria in the north, mid and south coast. The program will continue this monitoring schedule through the beach use season unless actions by state and local authorities restrict public beach access. Consult the Oregon Health Authority web page for the most up to date information about beach bacteria monitoring.
Recreational water quality at Oregon beaches
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality partners with the Oregon Health Authority to monitor the waters along Oregon's coastline. The monitoring is funded by annual grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Marine waters are tested for enterococcus bacteria, which indicates the presence of other harmful microbes. Enterococcus is present in human and animal waste and can enter marine waters from a variety of sources such as streams and creeks, storm water runoff, animal and seabird waste, failing septic systems, sewage treatment plant spills, or boating waste.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program collects samples from beaches along the Oregon coastline. The program operates on a three week rotation of sampling the north coast, the mid coast, and the south coast. Current beach locations are on the map below.
Oregon coast beach monitoring stations
Click on map for larger view.