OC Watersheds Dana Point Harbor - Baby Beach
In June 2008, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted indicator
bacteria Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor.
The TMDLs require 82.7-96.2% (dependent upon specific indicator bacteria) waste
load reductions from the stormdrain system. Dry weather reductions must occur by
September 2014 and wet weather reductions must occur by September 2019.
Elevated indicator bacteria concentrations at Baby Beach has been a long standing
problem. As a result, the beach has been the focus of many studies and Best Management
Practices (BMPs) to identify and prevent sources of indicator bacteria from affecting
the beach. Efforts have included studies on stormdrain seepage and groundwater,
stormdrain influence and sediment contamination, recreational boat discharges, microbial
source tracking, circulation, and video and dye testing of nearby sewers, for reports
and studies please see Dana Point Coastal Streams Baby Beach page. BMPs included
use of stormdrain plugs, increased street sweeping in surrounding parking lots and
roadways, installation of bird netting under the pier, public education efforts
against bird-feeding at the beach, artificial circulation of Baby Beach harbor area
water, stormdrain diversion to the sanitary sewer, catch basin filter treatment
systems, and disposal of bird feces from exposed intertidal areas of the beach.
The Baby Beach indicator bacteria TMDLs were developed in response to the 2002 Clean
Water Act Section 303(d) listing of the beach based upon water quality data collected
prior to 2002. Monitoring data from January 2002 to December 2006 has shown that
concentrations of indicator bacteria have declined significantly. In fact the San
Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted a decision to delist Baby Beach
for Focal Coliform Indicator Bacteria as part of the 2008 303(d) listing cycle.
This reduction is believed to be attributed to BMPs which have largely eliminated
dry weather runoff by diverting it to the sanitary sewer and beach sweeping to remove
bird feces from the beach.
As required by the TMDLs, a Bacteria Load Reduction Plan will be developed for Baby
Beach outlining existing and future BMPs needed to meet TMDL targets and special
studies to identify sources of indicator bacteria in the watershed.
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