Muskegon County
Beach Monitoring

Beach Monitoring

The Otter Lab partners closely with Public Health Muskegon County to monitor beaches throughout Muskegon County, Michigan. Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State University and Public Health Muskegon County have been monitoring beaches in partnership for 23 years. To learn more about the behind the scenes of beach monitoring click the link below.

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What is Beach Monitoring?

E. coli

We use both culture based and molecular methods for detecting E. coli in recreational waters. While E. coli can pose health concerns, it also offers indication of other potentially hazardous microbial contaminants.

Potential Pollutants

Using the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) digital Survey123 Application we conduct thorough field surveys looking for waste, pollutants, and other potentially harmful items that are left on our beaches.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

Our team is trained to evaluate the potential presence of a harmful algal bloom (HAB). We report to Public Health Muskegon County on all potential HAB sightings. Click the title for more information on HABs.

Advancing Science

Beach Monitoring is the advancement of protecting public health through using state of the art and emerging technologies. Our team of tenured and emerging scientists ask important questions to ensure community health.

Which beaches do we monitor?

We monitor 25 beaches across Muskegon County. Due to low contamination and pristine conditions, some beaches are put into yearly rotations. See the 2025 season beaches below.

Lake Michigan Beaches

Inland Lake Beaches

Muskegon State Park Public Beach

Pere Marquette Beach

Bronson-Kruse Dog Beach

Lake Harbor Park

Meinert County Park

Pioneer County Park

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park Campground Beach

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park Public Beach

Duck Lake Channel Beach

Medbery Park

Bob's Park Beach

Padley Park

Harbour Towne Beach

Ross Park

Twin Lake County Park

Blue Lake Park

Sunset Park

Curious about your favorite Muskegon beach?
Click the Link Below

BeachGuard

Muskegon County Beach Monitoring