Great Lakes Beach Health

As schools close for the year and summer weather beckons, many recreationalists head to the Great Lakes' public beaches. However, these coastal areas can become contaminated with disease-causing bacteria that threaten public health, disrupt water recreation, and pay a toll on the Great Lakes economies that depend on summer tourism.

The U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Beach Health initiative provides science-based information and methods that help beach managers make more accurate beach closure and advisory decisions, preventing unnecessary beach closures while protecting public health.