Santa Cruz County Water Quality Status
Updated December 4, 2019
Santa Cruz County conducts regular monitoring of more than a dozen local beaches in accordance with the State of California Recreational Water Program. The County issues health advisories when there are elevated levels of bacterial or other water quality concerns. The recent storms have impacted water quality at several beaches including Capitola Beach (at Jetty and Soquel Creek), Main Beach (at Boardwalk), Cowell Beach, and Natural Bridges Beach. Please be aware that water quality can deteriorate during and after rainfall. We recommend avoiding contact with ocean water for 72 hours (3 days) after storm events, especially near storm drains, creeks, and rivers.
The water quality status for each monitoring location is displayed on on our on-line map where you can zoom-in on specific sites for the most recent data for each location. Please avoid swimming, wading, and other water-sports when there is a health advisory. Santa Cruz County has permanently posted several creeks and lagoons due to impaired water quality (listed from North to South):
- Moore Creek Lagoon
- Neary Lagoon outfall at Cowell Beach
- San Lorenzo River mouth
- Schwann Lagoon at Twin Lakes Beach
- Soquel Creek mouth at Capitola Beach
- Porter Gulch Creek at New Brighton Beach
- Aptos Creek at Rio del Mar Beach

CYANOBACTERIAL BLOOM UPDATE
The cyanobacterial blooms have receded in local waterbodies and the County is conducting screening of toxins on an 'as-needed' basis. Please note that it is important to avoid swimming, wading, and other water-sports during a cyanobacterial bloom. When toxins are present in the lake, you could be inadvertently exposed from direct skin contact, swallowing water, or inhaling droplets. Cyanobacterial toxins can cause rashes, skin or eye irritations, stomach upsets, or other reactions. Also do not allow your pets to enter the water or drink from the shore. More information harmful algal blooms is available from