Ketchikan Beaches
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
2022 Ketchikan Beaches
(Ketchikan Beaches Map - click on monitoring location dots for details)
2022 Ketchikan Beaches
Bacteria monitoring on Ketchikan beaches occurred 6 times from June through September of the 2022 recreational season. Sampling took place at South Point Higgins, Sunset, Thomas Basin, Rotary Park Pool, Mountain Point Cultural Food, and Herring Cove 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. See monitoring results below, and documents links and previous year tabs for more detailed 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 was pilot tested. Bacteria predictions were made only on days when water samples were 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.
South Point Higgins
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococci |
|---|---|---|
| 6-2-22 | 18 | 10 |
| 6-20-22 | 14 | 52 |
| 6-30-22 | 10 | <10 (ND) |
| 7-28-22 | 12 | <10 (ND) |
| 8-18-22 | 9 | 20 |
| 9-1-22 | 7 | 20 |
Sunset
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococci |
|---|---|---|
| 6-2-22 | 9 | 10 |
| 6-20-22 | 17 | <10 (ND) |
| 6-30-22 | 7 | 10 |
| 7-28-22 | 4 | 10 |
| 8-18-22 | 33 | <10 (ND) |
| 9-1-22 | 13 | 10 |
Thomas Basin
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococci |
|---|---|---|
| 6-2-22 | 6 | 10 |
| 6-20-22 | 36 | 118 |
| 6-30-22 | 16 | <10 (ND) |
| 7-28-22 | 21 | 109 |
| 8-18-22 | 11 | 31 |
| 9-1-22 | 17 | 10 |
Rotary Park Pool
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococci |
|---|---|---|
| 6-2-22 | 19 | 197 |
| 6-20-22 | 11 | 30 |
| 6-30-22 | 44 | 40 |
| 7-28-22 | 55 | 10 |
| 8-18-22 | <1 (ND) | 20 |
| 9-1-22 | 22 | <10 (ND) |
Mountain Point Cultural Food
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococci |
|---|---|---|
| 6-2-22 | 11 | 20 |
| 6-20-22 | 41 | 41 |
| 6-30-22 | 10 | <10 (ND) |
| 7-28-22 | 13 | 20 |
| 8-18-22 | 2 | 10 |
| 9-1-22 | 32 | 10 |
Herring Cove
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococci |
|---|---|---|
| 6-2-22 | 4 | 10 |
| 6-20-22 | 35 | <10 (ND) |
| 6-30-22 | 41 | 20 |
| 7-28-22 | 29 | 10 |
| 8-18-22 | 46 | 128 |
| 9-1-22 | 137 | 121 |
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.
South Point Higgins
| Sample Date | Bacteria Prediction | Prediction Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 6-2-22 | OK | Correct |
| 6-20-22 | OK | Correct |
| 6-30-22 | OK | Correct |
| 7-28-22 | OK | Correct |
| 8-18-22 | OK | Correct |
| 9-1-22 | OK | Correct |
Sunset
| Sample Date | Bacteria Prediction | Prediction Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 6-2-22 | OK | Correct |
| 6-20-22 | OK | Correct |
| 6-30-22 | OK | Correct |
| 7-28-22 | OK | Correct |
| 8-18-22 | OK | Correct |
| 9-1-22 | OK | Correct |
Thomas Basin
| Sample Date | Bacteria Prediction | Prediction Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 6-2-22 | OK | Correct |
| 6-20-22 | Exceedance | Incorrect |
| 6-30-22 | Exceedance | Incorrect |
| 7-28-22 | OK | Correct |
| 8-18-22 | OK | Correct |
| 9-1-22 | Exceedance | Incorrect |
Rotary Park Pool
| Sample Date | Bacteria Prediction | Prediction Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 6-2-22 | OK | Incorrect |
| 6-20-22 | Exceedance | Incorrect |
| 6-30-22 | Exceedance | Incorrect |
| 7-28-22 | OK | Correct |
| 8-18-22 | Exceedance | Incorrect |
| 9-1-22 | Exceedance | Incorrect |
Mountain Point Cultural Food
| Sample Date | Bacteria Prediction | Prediction Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 6-2-22 | OK | Correct |
| 6-20-22 | OK | Correct |
| 6-30-22 | OK | Correct |
| 7-28-22 | OK | Correct |
| 8-18-22 | OK | Correct |
| 9-1-22 | OK | Correct |
Herring Cove
| Sample Date | Bacteria Prediction | Prediction Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 6-2-22 | OK | Correct |
| 6-20-22 | OK | Correct |
| 6-30-22 | Exceedance | Incorrect |
| 7-28-22 | OK | Correct |
| 8-18-22 | OK | Correct |
| 9-1-22 | 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 Ketchikan Beach Program Radio 1
2022 Ketchikan Beach Program Radio 2
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 Ketchikan Beaches
Bacteria monitoring on Ketchikan beaches began in May and continued through September of the 2021 recreational season. Sampling occurred every other week at 12 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 exceeded state standards. For more detailed information, click on documents links below and previous year tabs above.
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
| Knudson Cove | South Point Higgins | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococcus | Fecal Coliform | Enterococcus |
| June 1 | 57 | 85 | 10 | 52 |
| June 10 | 44 | 10 | 58 | 10 |
| June 25 | 21 | 10 | 28 | 121 |
| June 30 | 27 | 52 | 58 | 10 |
| July 8 | 28 | 52 | 5 | <10 (ND) |
| August 4 | 496 | 1,246 | 186 | 223 |
| August 16 | 6 | 20 | 9 | <10 (ND) |
| September 1 | 19 | <10 | 23 | <10 |
| Shull | Sunset | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococcus | Fecal Coliform | Enterococcus |
| June 1 | 43 | 41 | 47 | 10 |
| June 10 | 23 | 31 | 29 | <10 (ND) |
| June 25 | 39 | 97 | 54 | 63 |
| June 30 | 23 | <10 (ND) | 11 | 10 |
| July 8 | 3 | <10 (ND) | <1 (ND) | <10 (ND) |
| August 4 | 820 | >24,196 | 98 | 20 |
| August 16 | 6 | <10 | 33 | 31 |
| September 1 | 2 | <10 (ND) | 5 | <10 (ND) |
| South Refuge Cove | Thomas Basin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococcus | Fecal Coliform | Enterococcus |
| June 3 | 39 | 10 | 68 | 20 |
| June 10 | 8 | <10 (ND) | 9 | <10 (ND) |
| June 25 | 30 | 20 | 65 | 31 |
| June 30 | 3 | 10 | 16 | <10 (ND) |
| July 8 | 5 | <10 (ND) | 17 | 10 |
| August 4 | 320 | 1,607 | 568 | 2,282 |
| August 16 | 3 | <10 (ND) | 42 | 20 |
| September 1 | 6 | <10 (ND) | 16 | <10 (ND) |
| Rotary Pool | Rotary Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococcus | Fecal Coliform | Enterococcus |
| June 1 | 88 | 135 | 32 | 41 |
| June 10 | 94 | 332 | 15 | <10 (ND) |
| June 25 | 247 | 888 | 7 | 75 |
| June 30 | >400 | 1,500 | 61 | 41 |
| July 8 | 20 | 20 | 9 | <10 (ND) |
| August 4 | 274 | 1,236 | 162 | 839 |
| August 16 | 16 | 10 | 15 | <10 (ND) |
| September 1 | <10 (ND) | <10 (ND) | 11 | 10 |
| Mountain Point Cultural Food | Mountain Point Surprise Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococcus | Fecal Coliform | Enterococcus |
| June 1 | 27 | 31 | 18 | 63 |
| June 10 | 29 | 52 | 12 | 10 |
| June 25 | 21 | <10 (ND) | 18 | <10 (ND) |
| June 30 | 12 | <10 (ND) | 44 | 20 |
| July 8 | 23 | 20 | 6 | <10 (ND) |
| August 4 | 454 | 5,172 | 310 | 278 |
| August 16 | 102 | 110 | 31 | <10 (ND) |
| September 1 | 116 | 31 | 13 | 20 |
| Herring Cove | Seaport | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Date | Fecal Coliform | Enterococcus | Fecal Coliform | Enterococcus |
| June 1 | 28 | 20 | 22 | 10 |
| June 10 | 37 | 41 | 4 | <10 (ND) |
| June 25 | 3 | <10 (ND) | 14 | 20 |
| June 30 | 366 | 63 | 15 | <10 (ND) |
| July 8 | 244 | 265 | 7 | <10 (ND) |
| August 4 | 726 | 2,987 | 50 | 61 |
| August 16 | 16 | 10 | 11 | <10 (ND) |
| September 1 | 49 | 30 | 142 | 20 |
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 Ketchikan Beaches
Bacteria monitoring on 12 Ketchikan beaches began in May and continued through the 2020 recreational season. Weekly marine water sampling was conducted to evaluate potential public 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 documents linked below and previous year tabs above.
Off Season Monitoring
An off-season monitoring project began in October 2020 and continued through January 2021. Sampling consisted of one sampling event per month and was conducted and funded by the Ketchikan Indian Community. Monitoring was planned for the entire off-season, through the month of April, however funding constraints resulted in ending the project in January.
Press Releases
Other
2019 Ketchikan Beaches
The Ketchikan Beach Monitoring Program has completed the bacteria sampling for the 2019 recreational season at 12 Ketchikan beaches. Marine water samples were collected weekly from mid-May through mid-September 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 2017-2019 Ketchikan Beach Monitoring Comprehensive Report attached below.
Press Releases
Other
2018 Ketchikan Beaches
The Ketchikan Beach Monitoring Program has completed the bacteria sampling for the 2018 recreational season at 13 Ketchikan beaches. Marine water samples were collected weekly from mid-May through mid-September 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 2017-2018 Ketchikan Beach Field Report attached below.
Press Releases
- September 18, 2018, Ketchikan
- August 14, 2018 Ketchikan
- June 19, 2018 Ketchikan
- May 24, 2018 Ketchikan
- January 2018 DEC project report press release
Other
2017 Ketchikan Beaches
The Ketchikan Beach Monitoring Program has completed the bacteria sampling for the 2017 recreational season at 9 Ketchikan beaches. Marine water samples were collected weekly from July through September to evaluate potential hefalth 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 2017 Ketchikan BEACH Monitoring report and press release links below.
Press Releases
- September 18, 2017 Ketchikan
- August 25, 2017 Ketchikan
- August 17, 2017 Ketchikan
- August 11, 2017 Ketchikan
Indicates an external site.