Check Maryland Beach Conditions Before You Head To The Shore

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Sunshine, blue skies and highs in the low 80s are expected on Friday before rain chances return over the weekend, so people have plans to visit Maryland beaches when the weather allows. Checking on conditions at local beaches before hitting the road, however, is a good idea though.

The Maryland Department of the Environment tracks the number of days in which a beach is either closed or the subject of a health advisory. In 2017, there were a total of 180 days when a beach was closed or under an advisory at Maryland’s 181 monitored beaches, according to the latest progress report. Of note: The beaches at Ocean City have never been under a closure or advisory since the monitoring program began in 2000.

Swimmers can find information on conditions at the state’s beaches through the Maryland Healthy Beaches app for mobile devices. The app is available for download via the App Store and Google Play.

The Maryland Healthy Beaches website has color-coded status reports on beaches throughout the state and daily updates on rainfall, which causes runoff that can affect water quality.

As of June 7 these beaches have advisories because water quality samples collected from them does not meet state and federal water quality criteria:

• Broadford
• New Germany
• Little Brown Lake
• Crystal Beach Manor
• Charlestown Manor
• Grove Point Camp
• Boy Scout Beach Eliason
• Ferry Park
• Cove Road

This beach is closed:

Baltimore City (Baltimore City and MDE have not approved any swimming beaches.)

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Before Memorial Day, local health departments collect water samples from beaches and perform surveys to identify any nearby pollution sources that might hurt water quality. Local health departments determine where, when and how often a beach is sampled. The health departments continue to collect water samples during the season, which are sent to the Maryland Department of Health laboratory for analysis.

When fecal indicator bacteria standards are exceeded, the results are reported to local health departments so an advisory can be issued. An advisory is a recommendation against swimming or activities where submersion under water is likely. Beaches are only closed when the waters are affected by a sewage spill or overflow or other harmful contaminants.

Photo of the beach at Sandy Point State Park via the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police.