Skagit County annual BEACH report
During the 2023 swim season, Bay View State Park had good water quality. This beach only had one sampling event with elvated bacteria results during the week of Aug. 28, 2023. However, subsequent sampling showed that bacteria levels dropped back into the safe swimming range. This beach was sampled 15 times during the monitoring season.
Success Story: From 2011 through 2015, Bay View State Park beach exceeded the recreational swimming standards for bacteria. Between the 2105 and 2016 monitoring seasons, the 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 has continued to improve.
Keeping beaches safe
The Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication & Health, or 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 monitored Bay View State Park weekly in Skagit County during the 2023 swim season.
Data summary: Bacteria results compared to standards
The chart below summarizes the bacteria levels at Bay View State Park beach 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 2023.
| Beach | GM | STV |
|---|---|---|
| Bay View State Park | 17 | 68 |
Contact information
Contact BEACH: Reach BEACH staff, sign up for the email list, or follow us on social media platforms.