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A detailed synopsis of recent local contamination and resulting beach closures due to sewage-laden flow from the Tijuana River.
by Serge Dedina
25/02/2006:// The January 3 closure for the Imperial Beach shoreline was lifted on January 6. Border Field and the Tijuana Slough shoreline, except a 200 ft boundary at the rivermouth, were opened on January 25. The lack of rain and corresponding lack of flow in the river allowed DEH to lift the closure at the rivermouth itself on February 9. {This area usually remains under a chronic closure until late spring}.
Only two contamination events (one unconfirmed) at south county beaches have occurred since the rain and closures in early January.
1). The first occurred on Feb 9 when detergent like odors and foul water were observed along the shoreline at Border Field State Park. Winds on Feb 9 were 20+mph from the S/SW. Swells were 5 - 7' from the W/NW. SDCOOS nearshore current flow (1 km offshore from the Tijuana Rivermouth) showed 10 -20 cm/sec northward flow on Feb 9 and 10. 24 hour averaged currents on Feb 10 also showed a strong northward flow in the entire littoral cell for the south county area.
Because the Tijuana River was not flowing, and DEH could not identify the source of suspected contamination, an advisory (instead of a closure) for water contact was issued for the Border Field State Park and Tijuana Slough shorelines. On Feb 10 when detergent like odors were observed in Imperial Beach, and the advisory was expanded to include all of Imperial Beach shoreline. Results from investigative samples collected by DEH on Feb 9 and 10 showed low bacterial levels at south Seacoast Dr, Cortez Ave and Imperial Beach pier. The advisory for all 3 beaches was lifted on Feb 13.
2). The second contamination event occurred following the next rain on Feb 18 and 19. All three rain gages in the upper Tijuana watershed measured 0.04" on Feb 18. The rain on Feb 19 measured 0.24" in San Ysidro. DEH issued a General Advisory due to contamination by urban runoff for all coastal waters from Feb 19 - 22.
Flows in the Tijuana River entering the U.S. spiked briefly to 5 cubic meters/ sec about 7 AM on Feb 19, and then dropped to a flow rate of about 18 MGD on Feb 20 and 21. The second spike in flow rate about 3 PM on Feb 21 is artificial and is due to re-calibration of the river flow gage by the IBWC. The river flow rate entering the U.S. as of today, Feb 23, is 10 MGD. Bacterial levels measured in the river on Feb 21 were > 7 million total coliform and > 1 million E. Coli MPN/100mL. On Feb 21 DEH verified the river is again flowing west through the northern arm to the estuary that is visible at Saturn Blvd.
DEH issued a closure for the Border Field and the Tijuana Slough ocean shoreline on Feb 21. {The permanent sign at the south end of Seacoast Dr. has rusted, making it un-useful. The sign will be replaced}. City of San Diego samples collected on Feb 21 at the rivermouth, 3/4 mi north or river, and south end of Seacoast Dr. all showed bacterial levels exceeding standards, consistent with sewage contaminated runoff. Samples south of the river at Border Field had very low bacterial levels.
DEH expanded the closure to include Imperial Beach on Feb 22 when the Alongshore current showed 20+ cm/sec northward flow for over 3 hours. The SDCOOS Alongshore current data was out of service prior to 7 AM on Feb 21. The IB pier current meter remains out of service.
The nearshore current flow has been weakly flowing south since Feb 20. The northward pulses in the Alongshore current seen on Feb 21 and yesterday have slowed to a neutral direction. As of 10 AM on Feb 23, a 10 - 13 mph SW wind was blowing, creating the possibility for continued northward flow. Imperial Beach Lifeguards observed a discolored plume moving north near the pier at the same time. The closure for Imperial Beach will be lifted when all current measurements show southward flow.
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