The Oregon Public Health Division conducts several activities to protect people living, working and playing near Oregon's beaches, rivers, lakes and other waterbodies.

Please browse these notices and advisories detailing the date, location and specifics of contamination or toxin for recreational areas in Oregon. 

Follow OHA

Harmful Algae Blooms  |  Beaches  |  Fish Consumption

About Notices and Advisories

Algae blooms: The Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance program advises the public when a harmful algae bloom has been detected in a lake or river. Not all blooms are harmful, but some species of algae, such as cyanobacteria or blue-green algae, can produce toxins that can cause serious illness in pets, livestock, wildlife and humans. Browse the list below or view maps and more details about current and previous notices.

Beach monitoring: Oregon's Beach Monitoring Program helps protect people who play in coastal waters. The program does regular water testing to look for high levels of bacteria and lets visitors know when there is a health concern. An advisory posted on an Oregon Beach Monitoring program sign at the beach or on this Web site is a recommendation to the public to avoid water contact in areas where bacteria results have exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) standards for recreational water contact. The list below shows the most recent advisories. View the list of advisories on this page or check current beach conditions for more details.

Fish advisories: Fish advisories help protect against the harmful health effects of mercury, PCBs and other contaminants sometimes found in fish. Pregnant or nursing women, women who wish to become pregnant in the future, small children and people with compromised immune systems are most affected by contaminants in fish and benefit the most from following advisories. See the list of advisories below for details about the location, the fish species tested, and the contaminants found or check the Oregon fish consumption guidelines for more information abut the health benefits of fish and how to make healthy fish choices.