Beach water quality sign on Edgewater Beach
Detailed Description
Similar to weather forecasts, the nowcast systems use near-real-time information to estimate water-quality conditions and bacteria concentrations at specific beaches in the Great Lakes region, such as at the Edgewater Beach in Ohio. Nowcast systems use mathematical models that are developed from several years of measurements made at particular sites. The USGS is committed to helping beach managers develop and implement nowcast programs.