Environmental Assessment > BEACH Home > Program > Choosing Beaches

Choosing Beaches

Washington State has over 3000 miles of coastal waters with over 800 public recreational beaches.  Each of these beaches are evaluated based on 60 parameters that indicate the risk at each beach.  Factors we take into consideration are:

• Use:  number of people swimming, scuba diving, surfing, wind surfing, wading, etc.

• Potential fecal contamination sources:  stormwater discharges to the beach, marinas, wildlife habitat, and other associated potential pollution sources.

• Public opinion.

Nearly 200 beaches have been identified as popular beaches for water contact activities.

If we are missing a beach that we should consider monitoring, let us know!  Beach Survey