The Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals Beach Monitoring Program tests water at 27 beach sites along the Louisiana coast to determine whether the water quality meets Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria. This program is part of the federal Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act of 2000. The BEACH Act is an amendment to the Clean Water Act requiring all coastal states to develop programs for effective water quality monitoring and public notification at coastal recreational beaches. (more...)

Louisiana Beach Status Map

In the wake of the Gulf oil spill, and for the convenience of citizens and tourists, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has added to its Beach Monitoring website information regarding the closure of beaches impacted by the oil. DHH does not open or close Louisiana’s beaches. Local governments and the state parks department open and close beaches. DHH tests beach waters for bacterial contamination and places advisories against swimming on beaches which exceed EPA levels. DHH posts no advisories on beaches which have been closed by local government or the state parks department. Click Here to View Full Map of All Louisiana Gulf Coast Beaches

Open   Closed - Oil Spill     Closed - Other