SAN CLEMENTE : Spill Causes Closure of Stretch of Beach

A stretch of water off the popular North Beach has temporarily been closed to swimmers in the wake of a storm drain spill, lifeguards said.

For some unknown reason, a pool of dirty water overflowed Monday afternoon from the storm drain into a stretch of the ocean about a mile north of the San Clemente Pier and about 150 yards to the north of Lifeguard Station 10, lifeguard Gary Frederich said.

Although county health officials have determined that the spill poses no major health risks, signs were posted urging people to stay out of a 200-yard stretch of water, Frederich said.

Officials are not sure how long the area will remain closed to swimmers.