Lake Superior Beach Monitoring and Notification Program: An Evaluation

Abstract

The Minnesota Lake Superior Beach Monitoring and Notification Program is a collaborative effort supported by state and local health officials and citizens to address health risks to users of recreational waters on Lake Superior's coast. The Beach Program strives to influence attitudes regarding the importance of recreating safely in water, and give people knowledge and skills regarding beach recreation and stewardship. The purpose of this study was to assess to what degree the Beach Program has fulfilled its responsibility to notify the public of the services it provides and to make water recreation information available for the protection of human health. Results show that frequency of beach use and ZIP code were related to the levels of knowledge and awareness that beachgoers had about Lake Superior beach monitoring and notification. Less than half of beachgoers surveyed (45.9%) had heard of beach advisories. Beachgoers were aware of some best practices to keep themselves safe and the water clean, but unaware of others that are important. The results will be used by the Beach Program coordinator and the Beach Team to improve programming.