Contact

Media Inquiries

Dara Chadwick
Public Information Officer
401-222-3998

Amie Parris
Beach Program Manager

Publications

News - Beaches

05/24/2013 04:00 EDT
The Rhode Island beach season starts Saturday, May 25. Check here, or call the 24-hour automated hotline (401-222-2751) to make sure the beach you are heading to is open. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!
  • Previous 2012 Notices +

Ongoing Beach Advisories

Statewide

The Department of Health discourages water contact in areas within 200 feet of a running storm drain and in or near areas where water seeps from the ground. These waters may contain high levels of harmful bacteria, which may cause illness.

Areas to Avoid after Heavy Rains

The Department of Health discourages swimming, surfing, and other full body contact activities in Upper Narragansett Bay, North of Conimicut Point for a minimum of 3 days areas after heavy rains. These waters are directly affected by discharges from area wastewater treatment facilities and/or stormwater drains. After a heavy rain, high levels of harmful bacteria in these waters may cause illness.

Portsmouth Park and Island Park

The Department of Environmental Management has documented evidence of human sewage in storm drain outfalls and groundwater seeps along the shorelines of Portsmouth Park and Island Park. Though available water quality data at nearby offshore monitoring stations indicate safe swimming conditions, pollution sources are variable and may cause localized areas of contamination. Use the shellfish closure areas as a guide for affected waters to avoid. In general, these areas include:

  • The Sakonnet River offshore of Portsmouth Park from Morningside Lane northeast to the point at Stonebridge
  • In Island Park, the southern portion of "Blue Bill Cove".