Beach Closures

Nearly half of Ventura County’s beaches have been posted with warning signs due to excessive bacteria in the surf, the county Environmental Health Division announced Thursday.

A week of heavy rainfall has flushed pollution from farms, cities and businesses into the ocean. It is the worst week for beach closures this season, with 28 of the 53 beaches tested considered unsafe for swimming.

Warning signs have been posted at the following locations: Promenade Park in Ventura, all south of the drains, near the end of Figueroa Street, across from the Redwood Apartments, at the end of California Street, and at the end of Oak Street; McGrath State Beach in Oxnard, one half mile north of Gonzales Road, at the end of Gonzales and near the south end of McGrath Lake; Rincon Beach, at the end of the dirt path, at the flagpole and at the creek mouth; Rincon Parkway North; Faria County Park; Mandos Cove; Solimar Beach, Emma Wood State Beach; San Buenaventura Beach, south of the drain at the end of Kalorama Street, and at the end of San Jon Road; Peninsula Beach; Mandalay County Park at 5th Street, at Channel Way and at Outrigger Way; Oxnard Shores, near Amalfi Way; Oxnard State Beach, near Starfish Drive; Silverstrand Beach, near Sawtelle Avenue; County Line Beach; Surfers Point, near the stables; Channel Islands Harbor Beach Park; and Hobie Beach.

Tests conducted this week revealed excessive amounts of disease-causing bacteria in surf at those locations. Swimmers, waders and surfers should stay at least 50 yards away from each side of the signs, officials advise.

Health officials urge people to keep away from surf and storm drains for 72 hours whenever storms drop more than one-fifth of an inch of rain.

Weekly beach testing occurs at 53 locations in Ventura County and 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.html