Beach Closures

This week’s cloudburst quenched dry cities but made a mess of Ventura County beaches as no-swimming signs were posted at 14 beaches from Rincon Point to Channel Islands Harbor.

Runoff from slick city streets, farms and animal pens propels disease-causing bacteria into surf, making beaches health hazards during stormy weather. Swimmers and surfers are urged to keep out of the water at all beaches for 72 hours whenever urban areas receive more than half an inch of rain, according to the Ventura County Environmental Health Division.

This weekend, unhealthful conditions prevail at the following locations: Rincon Beach, at the mouth of the creek and near the flagpole; Faria County Park; Solimar Beach, at the east gate access road; Surfers Point, near the stables; Promenade Park near Figueroa Street, near Redwood Apartments and near Oak Street; San Buenaventura Beach near Kalorama Street and near Sanjon Road; Marina Park; Peninsula Beach; Hobie Beach; and Channel Islands Harbor Beach Park.

In addition, a sewage spill near the Pacific View Mall in Ventura, which authorities said is unrelated to rainfall, dumped 200 gallons of raw waste into Arundell Barranca. Warning signs were posted downstream at Ventura Harbor.

People in the water should stay at least 50 yards away from either side of the signs.

Weekly beach testing occurs at 53 locations in Ventura County. Results can be obtained by calling the county ocean water quality hotline at (805) 662-6555 or visiting the Web site at www.ventura.org/env_hlth/ocean.htm