Kodiak Alaska Beaches
- 2024
- 2023
2024 Kodiak Beaches
(Kodiak Beaches Map - click on monitoring location dots for details)
2024 Kodiak Beaches
Bacteria monitoring has concluded for the 2024 recreation season. Seven sampling events were completed at the following 4 Kodiak beaches: Mission Beach, Women’s Bay (Frye Point), Buskin River Beach, and Old Harbor (Lighthouse Beach). 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. The final water quality monitoring report is anticipated to be posted to the DEC website by February 2025.
Protect Your Health
When elevated fecal bacteria levels are present in marine water, precautionary measures are advised. DEC recommends people avoid direct exposure, such as swimming in the water, and wash after direct contact with the marine water. Commonly documented health issues from swimming in bacteria contaminated recreational waters include gastrointestinal illness, respiratory illnesses, skin rashes, and ear, eye, and wound infections. Please follow safe food handling recommendations and cook seafood to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit to destroy any bacteria. Note that freezing alone does not kill pathogens.
Beach Data Results
Criteria exceedance in bold text. ND = Not Detected.
Old Harbor (Lighthouse Beach)
| Sample Date | Enterococci (MPN/100ml) | Fecal Coliform (CFU/100ml) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-28-24 | 10 | ND |
| 6-4-24 | ND | ND |
| 6-11-24 | 10 | 2 |
| 6-17-24 | Unable to transport samples; sample event rescheduled. | |
| 6-27-24 | Unable to transport samples; sample event rescheduled. | |
| 7-2-24 | Unable to transport samples; sample event rescheduled. | |
| 7-11-24 | ND | 2 |
Women's Bay (Frye Point)
| Sample Date | Enterococci (MPN/100ml) | Fecal Coliform (CFU/100ml) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-28-24 | ND | ND |
| 6-4-24 | ND | ND |
| 6-11-24 | ND | 6 |
| 6-17-24 | 10 | ND |
| 6-27-24 | ND | 2 |
| 7-2-24 | ND | 5 |
| 7-11-24 | ND | 1 |
Buskin Beach
| Sample Date | Enterococci (MPN/100ml) | Fecal Coliform (CFU/100ml) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-28-24 | ND | ND |
| 6-4-24 | ND | 2 |
| 6-11-24 | ND | 12 |
| 6-17-24 | ND | ND |
| 6-27-24 | ND | 5 |
| 7-2-24 | ND | 5 |
| 7-11-24 | 20 | 36 |
Mission Beach
| Sample Date | Enterococci (MPN/100ml) | Fecal Coliform (CFU/100ml) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-28-24 | ND | ND |
| 6-4-24 | ND | 11 |
| 6-11-24 | ND | 2 |
| 6-17-24 | ND | 13 |
| 6-27-24 | ND | ND |
| 7-2-24 | ND | ND |
| 7-11-24 | ND | 2 |
Water Quality Standards
See also page 27 of: 18 AAC 70 Alaska Water Quality Standards (amended as of November 13, 2022) - (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.
2023 Kodiak Beaches
(Kodiak Beaches Map - click on monitoring location dots for details)
2023 Kodiak Beaches
Bacteria monitoring occurred nine times from May through September of the 2023 recreation season at the following beaches: Mission Beach, Women’s Bay (Frye Point), Buskin River Beach, and Old Harbor (Lighthouse Beach). 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.
No levels exceeded recreational criteria for the 2023 recreational season. The 2023 monitoring report has been posted to the Resources section of this webpage.
The monitoring program will resume during the next recreational season from May-September 2024.
Beach Data Results
Criteria exceedance in bold text. ND = Not Detected.
Old Harbor (Lighthouse Beach)
| Sample Date | Enterococci (MPN/100ml) | Fecal Coliform (FC/100ml) |
|---|---|---|
| 5/30/23 | 1.00 | ND |
| 6/13/23 | ND | ND |
| 6/20/23 | ND | ND |
| 6/22/23 | not sampled - inclement weather | not sampled - inclement weather |
| 6/29/23 | ND | 2.0 |
| 8/15/23 | ND | 1.0 |
| 8/29/23 | 10.0 | 56 |
| 9/5/23 | ND | 2.0 |
| 9/7/23 | ND | ND |
Women's Bay (Frye Point)
| Sample Date | Enterococci (MPN/100ml) | Fecal Coliform (FC/100ml) |
|---|---|---|
| 5/30/23 | 1.00 | ND |
| 6/13/23 | ND | ND |
| 6/20/23 | ND | ND |
| 6/22/23 | ND | ND |
| 6/27/23 | ND | 1.0 |
| 8/15/23 | ND | 1.0 |
| 8/29/23 | ND | ND |
| 9/5/23 | ND | ND |
| 9/7/23 | ND | ND |
Buskin Beach
| Sample Date | Enterococci (MPN/100ml) | Fecal Coliform (FC/100ml) |
|---|---|---|
| 5/30/23 | 5.00 | ND |
| 6/13/23 | ND | ND |
| 6/20/23 | ND | ND |
| 6/22/23 | ND | ND |
| 6/27/23 | ND | 2.0 |
| 8/15/23 | ND | 10 |
| 8/29/23 | 30.0 | 28 |
| 9/5/23 | ND | ND |
| 9/7/23 | 10.0 | 7.0 |
Mission Beach
| Sample Date | Enterococci (MPN/100ml) | Fecal Coliform (FC/100ml) |
|---|---|---|
| 5/30/23 | 20.0 | ND |
| 6/13/23 | ND | ND |
| 6/20/23 | ND | ND |
| 6/22/23 | ND | 2.0 |
| 6/27/23 | ND | 1.0 |
| 8/15/23 | ND | 8.0 |
| 8/29/23 | 10.0 | 5.0 |
| 9/5/23 | ND | ND |
| 9/7/23 | ND | 1.0 |
Water Quality Standards
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
When elevated fecal bacteria levels are present in marine water, precautionary measures are advised. DEC recommends people avoid direct exposure, such as swimming in the water, and wash after direct contact with the marine water. Commonly documented health issues from swimming in bacteria contaminated recreational waters include gastrointestinal illness, respiratory illnesses, skin rashes, and ear, eye, and wound infections. Please follow safe food handling recommendations and cook seafood to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit to destroy any bacteria. Note that freezing alone does not kill pathogens.
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