Some beaches will close this summer, for reasons ranging from sewage spills to hurricanes to E. coli outbreaks. For the most updated information, check your local beach or park's website. Here is a list of closed beaches to skip this year:
An EPA initiative to clean up the Great Lakes will cause some beaches in the northern Midwest to close this summer. E. coli outbreaks have caused Blossom Heath Beach in Michigan to close for summer 2012. The waters along the beach have demonstrated high levels of E. coli for the past two years, and health officials have advised against swimming in the area until the water quality improves. Due to government budget cuts, the water will not be tested throughout the summer.
The beaches at Bay City State Recreation Area in Michigan will also be closed for the summer due to high levels of the E. coli bacteria in the water.
Folly Beach County Park beaches in South Carolina will be closed this summer due to problems with shorelines erosion following Hurricane Irene.
Ramsey County Beach in Minnesota will close because of low water levels. The beach, nestled on White Bear Lake, has decreased shorelines due to the low water levels, making drastic drop offs a safety hazard. Drought and increased water usage has left the lake more than 4 feet below its normal level.
Parts of Long Beach, California are temporarily closed due to a sewage spill of an estimated 5,500 gallons that spilled into the Los Angeles River and flowed into Long Beach, about 30 miles away. Beaches west of Belmont Pier are closed until the bacteria levels drop to safe levels.
Some New Jersey beaches are closed due to threats to declining rare wildlife populations such as the black skimmer nesting birds. The New Jersey Fish and Wildlife site maintains an updated list of beach closures in the state.
More than 70 parks, including many with beaches, will be closed in California due to state budget cuts. The California parks site offers an updated list of closures, which includes beaches at Salton Sea State Recreation Area and Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve.
efore planning any beach trips this summer, check with your destination beach's site to make sure the beach is open and ready for visitors.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
