Swimming Beach Closure Lifted at the Mouth of Terrell Creek

The Whatcom County Health Department lifted the swimming beach closure in Birch Bay around the mouth of Terrell Creek on June 27 based on recent water quality data and drying conditions in the watershed. County staff will continue on-going water quality monitoring in Terrell Creek and evaluate whether or not this health alert needs to be reinstated during the fall rainy season. The closure was issued in February due to high bacteria counts in Terrell Creek. Stay updated about water quality at your beaches with the following links:• Fecal Matters Blog: http://ecologywa.blogspot.com/search/label/Fecal%20matters• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WABEACH• Find public beaches and info on beach closures: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/coastalatlas/A DSP biotoxin (red tide) recreational shellfish harvesting closure is still in effect for all Whatcom County beaches. For more information on this closure please read the press release. There is also an on-going commercial shellfish harvest closure area and recommended recreational shellfish harvest closure area issued by the Washington State Department of Health within 670 yards from the mouth of Terrell Creek (see map).