Skagit County annual BEACH report

The Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve sampled Bay View State Park beach in Skagit County in the summer of 2021. Water quality has been compromised at this beach for several years.

From 2011 through 2015, the beach failed to meet recreational swimming standards. Skagit County has been able to find and fix sources of pollution to the bay, improving overall water quality.

Open sandy beach on a sunny day — Bay View State Park in Skagit County

Keeping beaches safe

The Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication & Health (BEACH) Program ensures that marine water is safe to swim and play in and informs the public if water doesn't meet swimming standards. Sampling takes place from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During this time, you can check out current water quality conditions on the swimming map.

Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) monitored Bay View State Park weekly in Skagit County during the 2021 swim season.

See details on this beach below.

During the 2021 swim season, Bay View State Park was sampled 15 times and had very good water quality. This beach met the swimming standard for all periods sampled.

From 2011 through 2015, Bay View State Park beach exceeded the recreational swimming standards for bacteria. Between the 2105 and 2016 monitoring seasons, Skagit County Pollution Identification and Correction Program made an effort to find and fix sources of pollution in the town of Bay View. Water quality at Bay View State Park improved.

A shoreline survey was conducted at this beach on August 19.

Data summary: Bacteria results compared to standards

The chart below summarizes the bacteria levels at Skagit County beaches in relation to the EPA swimming standard or saltwater swimming criteria. Beaches are considered unsafe for swimming when the geometric mean of enterococcus/100 mL of water is greater than or equal to 30 and the statistical threshold value of enterococcus/100 mL is greater than or equal to 110. We issue a public swimming advisory when enterococcus levels exceed 104 per 100 mL of water.

Table: Calculated geometric mean and statistical threshold value at Bay View State Park beach (in enterococcus per 100 mL) for 2021.

Beach	Geometric Mean	Statistical Threshold Value
Bay View State Park	13	28

Contact information

Contact BEACH: Reach BEACH staff, sign up for the listserv, or follow us on social-media platforms.

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