Kenai River Beaches
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
(Kenai Beaches Map - click on monitoring location dots for details)
2022 Kenai River Beaches
Bacteria monitoring on Kenai beaches occurred 4 times throughout the months of July and August of the 2022 recreation season. Sampling took place on North and South Kenai River beaches. Bacteria monitoring was conducted to evaluate potential public health risks indicated by fecal coliform and enterococci bacteria, and to notify the public when levels exceed state standards. Results from sampling were also used to assess the bacteria prediction tool Virtual Beach. Click on the links below for monitoring results and more information.
Virtual Beach
DEC is evaluating the EPA Virtual Beach model using data collected during the 2022 recreation season. The model uses local environmental data to forecast bacteria levels on recreational beaches. Check out Virtual Beach Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.
For the 2022 season, Virtual Beach will be pilot tested. Bacteria predictions will be made only on days when water samples are collected at the beaches, allowing DEC to compare the bacteria predictions to the lab results.
Beach Data Results
Criteria exceedance in bold text. ND = Not Detected.
North Kenai Beach
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococci |
|---|---|---|
| 6-30-2022 | 18 | 25 |
| 7-12-2022 | 114 | 66 |
| 7-27-2022 | 23 | 22 |
| 8-9-2022 | 5 | 248 |
South Kenai Beach
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococci |
|---|---|---|
| 6-30-2022 | 35 | 62 |
| 7-12-2022 | 350 | 435 |
| 7-27-2022 | 32 | 39 |
| 8-9-2022 | 5 | 117 |
Predicted bacteria values generated with Virtual Beach. Predictions will be “exceedance” if the model output predicts an exceedance of Water Quality Standards, or “OK” if the model prediction met Water Quality Standards. The accuracy column will show the comparison to the collected sample results as "Correct" or "Incorrect". Prediction accuracy compares bacteria predictions to lab sample results.
North Kenai Beach
| Sample Date | Bacteria Prediction | Prediction Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 6-30-2022 | OK | Correct |
| 7-12-2022 | Exceedance | Incorrect |
| 7-27-2022 | OK | Correct |
| 8-9-2022 | OK | Incorrect |
South Kenai Beach
| Sample Date | Bacteria Prediction | Prediction Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 6-30-2022 | OK | Correct |
| 7-12-2022 | Exceedance | Correct |
| 7-27-2022 | OK | Correct |
| 8-9-2022 | Exceedance | Incorrect |
See also page 27 of: 18 AAC 70 Alaska Water Quality Standards (amended as of March 5, 2020) - (14) Bacteria, For Marine Water Uses
- (B) Water Recreation
(i) contact recreation - In a 30-day period, the geometric mean of samples may not exceed 35 enterococci CFU/100 ml, and not more than 10% of the samples may exceed a statistical threshold value (STV) of 130 enterococci CFU/100 ml.
- (ii) secondary recreation
- In a 30-day period, the geometric mean of samples may not exceed 200 fecal coliform/100ml, and not more than 10% of the samples may exceed 400 fecal coliform/100ml.
- (D) Harvesting for Consumption of Raw Mollusks or Other Raw Aquatic Life
- The geometric mean of samples may not exceed 14 fecal coliform/100 ml; and not more than 10% of the samples may exceed; 31 CFU per 100 ml for a membrane filtration test.
Protect Your Health
2022 Keep the Kenai Clean Radio Spot
Washing hands or showering after contact with beach water is recommended. Wash fish in clean tap water and cook to a minimum of 145°F internal temperature before eating. Help keep the beach clean by picking up after pets, packing out litter, and properly disposing of fish carcasses.
2021 Kenai River Beaches
Bacteria monitoring on Kenai beaches began in May and continued through August of the 2021 recreational season. Sampling occurred every other week at North and South Kenai River beaches. Bacteria monitoring was conducted to evaluate potential public health risks indicated by fecal coliform and enterococci bacteria, and to notify the public when levels exceed state standards. For more detailed information, click on the document links below.
Virtual Beach
DEC is evaluating the EPA Virtual Beach model using data collected during the 2021 recreation season. The model uses local environmental data to forecast bacteria levels on recreational beaches. Check out the Frequently Asked Questions document on the Alaska Beach Program homepage to learn more about Virtual Beach.
Beach Data Results
South Kenai Beach (SKB3)
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococci |
|---|---|---|
| June 1 | 1.64 (ND) | 26.0 |
| June 14 | 7.0 | 6.0 |
| June 28 | 40 | 260 |
| July 12 | 50 | 29.0 |
| July 26 | 86 | 84 |
| August 9 | 148 | 132 |
North Kenai Beach (NKB4)
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococci |
|---|---|---|
| June 1 | 3.3 | 2.0 |
| June 14 | 6.0 | 3.00 |
| June 28 | 6.7 | 79.0 |
| July 12 | 10 | 4.00 |
| July 26 | 10 | 8.00 |
| August 9 | 94 | 58.0 |
Criteria exceedance in bold text. ND = Not Detected.
See also page 27 of: 18 AAC 70 Alaska Water Quality Standards (amended as of March 5, 2020) - (14) Bacteria, For Marine Water Uses
- (B) Water Recreation
(i) contact recreation - In a 30-day period, the geometric mean of samples may not exceed 35 enterococci CFU/100 ml, and not more than 10% of the samples may exceed a statistical threshold value (STV) of 130 enterococci CFU/100 ml.
- (ii) secondary recreation
- In a 30-day period, the geometric mean of samples may not exceed 200 fecal coliform/100ml, and not more than 10% of the samples may exceed 400 fecal coliform/100ml.
- (D) Harvesting for Consumption of Raw Mollusks or Other Raw Aquatic Life
- The geometric mean of samples may not exceed 14 fecal coliform/100 ml; and not more than 10% of the samples may exceed; 31 CFU per 100 ml for a membrane filtration test.
Other
2020 Kenai River Beaches
Bacteria monitoring on Kenai beaches began in late May and continued through the 2020 recreational season. Sampling occurred at North and South Kenai River beaches, upstream and downstream of the Kenai River gull rookery, and at the Warren Ames Memorial Bridge. Weekly bacteria monitoring was conducted to evaluate potential public health risks indicated by fecal coliform and enterococci bacteria, and to notify the public when levels exceed state standards. For more detailed information, click on the document links below.
Press Releases
Other
2019 Kenai River Beaches
Bacteria monitoring on Kenai River beaches has been completed for 2019. Sampling occurred mid-May through early September 2019 at North and South Kenai River beaches, upstream and downstream of the gull rookery, and at the Warren Ames Memorial Bridge. Marine water samples were collected weekly to evaluate potential health risks indicated by fecal coliform and enterococci bacteria, and to notify the public when levels exceeded state standards. For more detailed information click on the Kenai Beaches Frequently Asked Questions.
Press Releases
Other
2018 Kenai River Beaches
Bacteria monitoring on Kenai River beaches has been completed for 2018. Sampling occurred mid-June through mid-September 2018 at North and South Kenai River beaches, upstream and downstream of the gull rookery, and at the Warren Ames Memorial Bridge. Marine water samples were collected weekly to evaluate potential health risks indicated by fecal coliform and enterococci bacteria, and to notify the public when levels exceeded state standards. For more detailed information click on the Kenai Beach 2018 Field Report.
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