CALIFORNIA BUSINESS MINUTE
Ranking Beaches
06-03-11
Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.
This year’s ranking of California’s beaches by the non-profit organization - Heal
the Bay has just been released. Heal the Bay's 21st annual Beach Report Card assigns
grades, A through F, up and down the West Coast and to 455 California beaches
monitored and tested for their water quality and pollution during both the wet and
dry seasons of 2010 and 2011. Most California beaches had very good to excellent
water quality this past year, with 400 of the 455 locations ranked (nearly 90%)
receiving very good to excellent (A and B) grades.
Unfortunately this year, Santa Cruz county beaches take the hit, however, for maybe
all of the wrong reasons. Cowell Beach is ranked as the worst on the list however,
it is caused by wildlife. The poor rating appears driven by an influx of kelp and
sea lions. In addition to Cowell Beach, Capitola Beach also in Santa Cruz County
ranked 10th on the report card, and suffers from similar problems as Cowell that
contribute to water quality problems. Cowell has a storm drain; Capitola has Soquel
Creek. Both have piers, which commonly contribute to water quality problems, and
both have low water transmission. While sea water moves freely across open Beach-
goers negotiate large piles of rotting kelp in July 2010 on Cowell Beach where Santa
Cruz city officials say the bacteria count is the highest in years because of all
the kelp washing ashore.
The following beaches all received an F grade. Unfortunately, the drill down review
in their grades determines their ranking. Last year, Avalon Harbor Beach was ranked
first and Cowell was second.
TOP TEN CALIFORNIA BEACH BUMMERS
1. Cowell Beach, at the wharf Santa Cruz County
2. Avalon Harbor Beach, Catalina Island Los Angeles County
3. Cabrillo Beach, harborside Los Angeles County
4. Topanga State Beach, at creek mouth Los Angeles County
5. Poche Beach Orange County
6. North Beach Doheny Orange County
7. Arroyo Burro Beach Santa Barbara County
8. Baker Beach, at Lobos Creek San Francisco County
9. Colorado Lagoon Los Angeles County
10. Capitola Beach, west of the wharf Santa Cruz County
For further information, see http://www.healthebay.org/
I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.
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