Project Background
Background
Background
Linda Mar Beach receives freshwater from San Pedro Creek, and Main/Seabright Beaches receive freshwater from San Lorenzo River. Both the Creek and River frequently have bacteria levels elevated above what is considered safe.
Linda Mar Beach receives freshwater from San Pedro Creek, and Main/Seabright Beaches receive freshwater from San Lorenzo River. Both the Creek and River frequently have bacteria levels elevated above what is considered safe.
The figures below show recent levels of fecal indicator bacteria: E. coli in San Pedro Creek (left) and Enterococcus in San Lorenzo River at the Boardwalk (right). In both figures, the majority of samples lie above the dashed lines, indicating unsafe levels of fecal pollution. These data, and data for many beaches throughout California, are available from the State: https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/safe_to_swim/index.html.
The figures below show recent levels of fecal indicator bacteria: E. coli in San Pedro Creek (left) and Enterococcus in San Lorenzo River at the Boardwalk (right). In both figures, the majority of samples lie above the dashed lines, indicating unsafe levels of fecal pollution. These data, and data for many beaches throughout California, are available from the State: https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/safe_to_swim/index.html.
San Pedro Creek, Pacifica
San Pedro Creek, Pacifica
San Lorenzo River at Boardwalk
San Lorenzo River at Boardwalk
Project Goal
Project Goal
The goal of this study is to understand how runoff entering the ocean from coastal communities impacts beach water quality.
The goal of this study is to understand how runoff entering the ocean from coastal communities impacts beach water quality.
Specifically, we want to estimate the spatial extent along the beach that is impacted by contaminated coastal rivers and creeks. This task is complex because these beaches are dynamic environments, so we have to understand how the extent of impact varies as freshwater flow, tidal, and wave conditions change.
Specifically, we want to estimate the spatial extent along the beach that is impacted by contaminated coastal rivers and creeks. This task is complex because these beaches are dynamic environments, so we have to understand how the extent of impact varies as freshwater flow, tidal, and wave conditions change.
This is important because it will help us improve how we manage runoff and coastal water quality, protect public health, and keep the environment healthy.
This is important because it will help us improve how we manage runoff and coastal water quality, protect public health, and keep the environment healthy.
But in order to gather data covering a range of hydrometeorological conditions, we need help!
But in order to gather data covering a range of hydrometeorological conditions, we need help!
We are excited to be working with citizen scientists to collect the necessary water samples—we couldn't do it without you!
We are excited to be working with citizen scientists to collect the necessary water samples—we couldn't do it without you!
Beaches where we are working:
Beaches where we are working:
Contact us
Contact us
Questions? Comments? Let us know!
Questions? Comments? Let us know!
b e a c h p r o j e c t [ a t ] s t a n f o r d [ d o t ] e d u
b e a c h p r o j e c t [ a t ] s t a n f o r d [ d o t ] e d u
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