We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.
You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Accept
Water Quality Testing
The Onondaga County Health Department samples Oneida Shores Beach and Jamesville Beach approximately every two weeks during the summer season. Samples are analyzed for bacteria Escherichia coli (E.coli). A result equal to or above 235 E. coli colonies/100 ml represents an exceedance of the state standard. Test results are available approximately 24 hours after the samples are taken, as sample analysis takes 18-24 hours.
Beach Closures
A beach is closed when a sample exceeds the 235 E. coli colonies/100 ml. threshold. The water will then be re-sampled daily until levels decrease. Once acceptable levels of bacteria are found, then the beach will be reopened.
The causes of elevated bacteria levels are not always clear. They may be related to land uses in the watershed, storm water runoff, naturally occurring sand or soil bacteria, or other factors.
Oneida Shores Beach
| Date Sampled | Results | Beach Status | ||
| 8/15/22 | 107 E.coli per 100 ml (left side) | Beach Open thru 8/19/22 | ||
| 161 E.coli per 100 ml (right side) | ||||
| 8/2/22 | 14 E.coli per 100 ml (left side) | Beach Open - Daily | ||
| 37 E.coli per 100 ml (right side) | ||||
| 8/1/22 | 461 E.coli per 100 ml (left side) | **Beach Closed Until Further Notice | ||
| 214 E.coli per 100 ml (right side) | ||||
| 7/19/22 | 5 E.coli per 100 ml (left side) | Beach Open - Daily | ||
| 36 E.coli per 100 ml (right side) | ||||
| 7/5/22 | 173 E.coli per 100 ml (left side) | Beach Open - Daily | ||
| 45 E.coli per 100 ml (right side) | ||||
| 6/21/22 | 40 E.coli per 100 ml (left side) | Beach Open - Daily | ||
| 18 E.coli per 100 ml (right side) | ||||
| 6/6/22 | 96 E.coli per 100 ml (left side) |
Beach Open - Weekends only until 6/18; then daily |
||
| 15 E.coli per 100 ml (right side) | ||||
| 5/23/22 | 15 E.coli per 100 ml (left side) | OPEN for season beginning 5/28/22 | ||
| 25 E.coli per 100 ml (right side) | ||||
Jamesville Beach
| Date Sampled | Results | Beach Status | ||
| 8/5/22 | Visual Presence of Algal Bloom | **Beach Closed Until Further Notice | ||
| 7/25/22 | 3 E.coli per 100 ml | Beach Open - Daily | ||
| 7/18/22 | Bloom Subsided | Beach Open - Daily | ||
| Microcystins are ≤ 4µg/L | ||||
| 7/13/22 | Visual Presence of Algal Bloom | **Beach Closed Until Further Notice | ||
| 7/5/22 | 2 E.coli per 100 ml | Beach Open - Daily | ||
| 6/13/22 | 10 E.coli per 100 ml |
Beach Open - Weekends only until 6/18; then daily |
||
| 5/23/22 | 19 E.coli per 100 ml | OPEN for season beginning 5/28/22 | ||
Questions or concerns? Click here to contact the Onondaga County Health Department.
During your visit to Onondaga County Parks, you may be photographed, videotaped, or filmed by Onondaga County Parks or authorized parties. Your attendance/admission serves as permission for use of these images by Onondaga County Parks. Commercial photography or filming is prohibited without permission of Onondaga County Parks.
