OHA release - PORTLAND, Ore.—The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program is kicking off the 2026 beach monitoring season, a joint effort between Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality that monitors about two dozen of Oregon’s most used beaches for fecal bacteria between May and September.  Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children, the elderly and those with a compromised immune system should use extra caution as they are more vulnerable to illness from waterborne bacteria.  Through the Beach Monitoring Program, DEQ regularly samples marine water and freshwater at 25 beaches along Oregon’s 360 miles of coastline between May and September. To protect public health, OHA issues advisories at beaches where bacteria levels in marine waters are high.  The following Oregon beaches are being monitored during 2026, including beach name, and the city and county in which they are located:  Seaside Beach – Seaside, Clatsop County; Cannon Beach – Cannon Beach, Clatsop County; Tolovana Beach State Park– Cannon Beach, Clatsop County; Short Sand Beach (Oswald West State Park) – Arch Cape, Tillamook County; Manzanita Beach – Manzanita, Tillamook County; Rockaway Beach – Rockaway, Tillamook County; Twin Rocks Beach – Twin Rocks, Tillamook County; Oceanside Beach – Oceanside, Tillamook County; Cape Kiwanda Beach – Pacific City, Tillamook County; Neskowin Beach – Neskowin, Tillamook County; D River Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County; Siletz Bay Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County; Beverly Beach – Newport, Lincoln County; Agate Beach – Newport, Lincoln County; Nye Beach – Newport, Lincoln County; Ona Beach (Brian Booth-Beaver Creek State Park) – Seal Rock, Lincoln County; Roads End Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County; Seal Rock Beach – Seal Rock, Lincoln County; Heceta Beach – Florence, Lane County; Bastendorff Beach – Coos Bay, Coos County; Sunset Bay State Park Beach – Coos Bay, Coos County; Hubbard Creek Beach – Port Orford, Curry County; Harris Beach State Park – Brookings, Curry County; Mill Beach – Brookings, Curry County; Crissey Fields State Recreation Site – Brookings, Curry County.  Monitored locations include beaches where the Beach Monitoring Program has found bacteria in the past, or beaches for which local partners and the public have requested monitoring due to potential pollution concerns.  When visiting the Oregon Coast, the Beach Monitoring Program encourages visitors to remember the following tips to protect:  Check for advisories before you head to the beach.  If a beach is under advisory:  Avoid swimming and swallowing ocean water.  Avoid swimming in nearby creeks, pools of water on the beach, or in discolored water, and stay clear of water runoff flowing into the ocean. Levels of fecal bacteria can be higher in these types of water sources.  Shower after playing at the beach.  Wash your hands before eating or drinking.  Enjoy activities such as picnicking, beach walking and kite flying.  Note: Beach advisories are only issued for beaches that are actively being monitored within the May to Sept. sampling window. However, unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources including:  Stormwater runoff; Sewer overflows; Failing septic systems; Animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife.  Even if no advisory is in effect, avoid swimming in the ocean within 48 hours after a rainstorm.  For more information and current beach monitoring conditions please visit: www.healthoregon.org/beach, or contact the Beach Monitoring Program at [email protected] or 1-877-290-6767.