SWAMP - 2021 Recreational Beneficial Use Assessments

Water quality samples are being collected from recreational areas and public access points along the Lower American River and near the mouth of nearby Steelhead Creek. Weekly monitoring has been conducted year-round at these sites since January 2018.

Lower American River

The Lower American River is a 23-mile reach of American River, flowing from the base of Lake Natoma at the Nimbus Dam to the confluence with the Sacramento River. This stretch of river is the most used recreational river in California and is the highlight of the American River Parkway. The Parkway offers numerous recreational opportunities including rafting, fishing, swimming, biking, walking, and outdoor education. The river provides essential spawning habitat for steelhead and fall-run Chinook salmon and its banks are home to numerous species of birds and other wildlife. Sampling sites on the American River span from the Sunrise Recreation Area to the confluence with the Sacramento River.

Steelhead Creek

Part of the Natomas Basin, Steelhead Creek is a drainage canal that captures flow from Arcade and Dry Creeks and empties into the Sacramento River at the Discovery Park boat launch. The creek serves as habitat to native plants and wildlife, as well as a migrating steelhead and salmon. Two sites along Steelhead Creek are sampled within Discovery Park: Steelhead Creek at the Discovery Park northern entrance and at the Discovery Park Boat Launch.

• View the latest monitoring results:
  • Interactive Online Map
  • Summary Table
• Learn more about Healthy Swimming Habits from Sacramento County Regional Parks.

Weekly water samples are being collected on a 32-mile reach of the San Joaquin River from Millerton Lake to Skaggs Bridge. This reach of the river serves as the boundary between Fresno and Madera Counties and includes the planned San Joaquin River Parkway managed by the San Joaquin River Conservancy. Parks and recreational areas on the San Joaquin River are important habitat areas for wildlife and provide opportunities for boating, fishing, bird watching, and swimming.

Sampling sites include the popular Fresno County Recreation Areas at Lost Lake and Skaggs Bridge parks, as well as recreation sites at Millerton Lake, Friant Cove, Fort Washington Beach, Wildwood Native Park, Sycamore Island, and River Bottom Park.

• View the latest monitoring results:
  • Interactive Online Map
  • Summary Table

The Kings River is the largest river draining the southern Sierra Nevada. The river flows west from its headwaters in the remote Kings Canyon National Park to the agricultural San Joaquin Valley. Pine Flat Reservoir in the Sierra Nevada foothills is a popular boating and recreation destination in Fresno County. Below the Pine Flat Dam, the Kings River provides great opportunities for fishing and boating.

Weekly water samples are being collected at seven recreation sites in the Kings River watershed: Island Park on Pine Flat Lake, Avocado Lake near Sanger, and along the Kings River at North River Access Park, Choinumni Park, Winton Park, Thorburn River Access Park, and Reedley Beach.

• View the latest monitoring results
  • Interactive Online Map
  • Summary Table

• California Safe to Swim Map
  This interactive map on the Safe to Swim Portal displays bacteria data over time for coastal and inland monitoring locations throughout the state.
• California Harmful Algal Blooms Portal
  The Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Portal is the central resource for HABs in California. HABs can produce toxins that cause illnesses in people and animals. Visit the portal to learn more about HABs and see the latest bloom reports.
• Healthy Swimming at Oceans, Lakes, and Rivers
  Visit CDC’s website to learn how to protect yourself and your family when swimming in oceans, lakes, and rivers.
  
• Download Water Board monitoring data:
  • California Open Data Portal
    • Fecal Indicator Bacteria Results
    • Central Valley Water Board Draft E. coli Results
  • California Environmental Data Exchange Network (CEDEN)
• Recreational Beneficial Use Assessment Reports and Results
  This table lists reports and data summaries from previous SWAMP recreational water quality studies in the Central Valley Region.
• Statewide Bacteria Water Quality Objectives
  In 2018 the State Water Board adopted new statewide bacteria water quality objectives to protect recreational users from the effects of pathogens in California water bodies