Bathing Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program

Beach Closing Hotline
We provide a 24-hour Water Quality Hotline which gives quick, accurate information and advisories about current beach conditions. For current beach closings, call 810-987-7253 or 877-504-SWIM.

Why are beaches monitored?
Part 125 of Act 368, Public Acts of 1978, provides for testing and evaluation of public bathing beaches by local health departments. The St. Clair County Health Department monitors 20 public bathing beaches in St. Clair County weekly from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Samples are generally taken one foot below the surface in water that is between three and six feet in depth.

Why do beaches sometimes close?
The Michigan Public Health Code sets standards that limit the levels of E. coli at beaches called Total Body Contact Standards. A bathing beach is closed whenever these standards are exceeded. Generally, following a heavy rainfall, the beaches may be closed due to polluted storm water run-off.

What is Escherichia coli (E. coli)?
E. coli is a common microbe found in the digestive systems of all warm-blooded animals, including humans. The presence of E. coli bacteria in beach water can indicate the possibility of sewage contamination.

The Health Department monitors 20 public bathing beaches in St. Clair County from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

St, Clair County Public Beaches

Beach Location City Emmett KOA Pond Emmett KOA Campground Emmett Fort Trodd Lake Fort Trodd Campground, North & South Wadhams Kimball Pond Kimball Township Park Kimball Ruby Campground Pond Ruby Campground Clyde Burtchville Twp Park Lake Huron North Lakeport Fort Gratiot County Park Lake Huron Fort Gratiot Conger Lighthouse Beach Lake Huron Port Huron Jeddo Road Beach Lake Huron Port Huron Holland Road Beach Lake Huron North Lakeport Keewadhin Road Beach Lake Huron Fort Gratiot Krafft Road Beach Lake Huron Port Huron Lakeport State Campground Lake Huron Lakeport Lakeport State Park – Day Use Lake Huron Lakeport Lakeside Beach Lake Huron Port Huron Metcalf Road Beach Lake Huron Burtchville Washington Street Park Lake Huron Lakeport Chrysler Park Beach St. Clair River Marysville Marine City Beach St. Clair River Marine City Marine City Diving Area St. Clair River Marine City

Why do beaches close? There are a variety of sources that contribute bacteria and other pathogens to surface water, thus leading to a beach closure. Help keep our beaches open by practicing these Seven Simple Steps to Clean Water at home. Storm water (rain) run-off from impervious surfaces Failing or malfunctioning septic systems Combined sanitary sewer overflows Wild and domestic animal waste Fertilization near waterways Sediment and eroding soil Watercraft activities Agricultural run-off

Resources:
Michigan DEQ Beach Guard