Health Department Issues Swimming Advisory for River-to-Sea Preserve Beach

The Florida Department of Health-Flagler has issued a water quality advisory for the beach at River-to-Sea Preserve in northeastern Flagler County, warning residents and visitors to avoid swimming and other water-contact activities due to elevated bacteria levels. The advisory, announced August 11, 2026, follows test results from samples collected August 3 that showed Enterococcus bacteria concentrations exceeding state recreational water quality standards.

The preserve, located at 9805 N. Oceanshore Boulevard along the Atlantic coast, is a popular beach access point in the county. Health officials say the bacteria levels pose an increased risk of illness for swimmers and anyone engaging in water-related activities at the location.

What's happening

Water quality monitoring conducted by the Florida Department of Health-Flagler on August 3, 2026, detected Enterococcus bacteria levels above the threshold established by Florida Department of Health guidelines for safe recreational water contact. Enterococcus is an indicator bacteria used to assess the potential presence of pathogens in marine and freshwater environments that can cause gastrointestinal illness, skin infections, and other health problems in people exposed through swimming or water sports.

The advisory specifically applies to the beach area at River-to-Sea Preserve, a coastal property in the northeastern section of Flagler County along State Road A1A. The Florida Department of Health-Flagler conducts regular water quality sampling at beaches throughout the county as part of the state's Healthy Beaches monitoring program, which tracks bacterial contamination at public swimming areas.

The health department advises the public to avoid all water-related activities at this specific location until follow-up testing shows bacteria concentrations have returned to levels that meet state recreational water quality criteria. Current and updated test results for this location and other monitored beaches are posted on the Florida Department of Health's Healthy Beaches website at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.

No timeframe has been announced for when the advisory might be lifted. The duration will depend on subsequent water samples showing bacteria levels below the state health threshold.

What causes elevated bacteria levels

Enterococcus bacteria in coastal waters can come from multiple sources. Stormwater runoff carrying animal waste, failing septic systems, wildlife populations, and overflow from wastewater infrastructure can all contribute to elevated bacteria counts at beaches. Heavy rainfall events often correlate with temporary spikes in bacterial contamination as runoff washes contaminants from the land into nearshore waters.

In Florida's coastal counties, regular monitoring is standard practice precisely because bacteria levels can fluctuate significantly based on weather, tides, and other environmental conditions. The Healthy Beaches program, administered by the Florida Department of Health, samples water at designated public beach locations weekly during the swimming season and provides public notification when levels exceed safety thresholds.

While the specific source of contamination at River-to-Sea Preserve has not been identified in the county's announcement, the detection itself indicates that conditions at the time of sampling were not suitable for recreational water contact. Health departments issue these advisories as a precautionary measure to protect public health when indicator bacteria suggest an elevated risk of pathogen exposure.

Impact on beachgoers and local access

River-to-Sea Preserve is a significant beach access point along Flagler County's Atlantic coastline, particularly for residents in the northern portion of the county near the Volusia County line. The preserve itself is a 150-acre protected coastal property managed by Flagler County, offering not only beach access but also trails through coastal hammock and dune habitats.

During Florida's summer months, beach activity peaks as both residents and visitors seek coastal recreation. A swimming advisory at a popular access point effectively removes that location from safe-use options until water quality improves. For families, surfers, and others planning beach outings, the advisory means choosing alternative beaches or postponing water activities until the health department confirms the River-to-Sea location is again safe.

Florida law requires county health departments to post warning signs at beach locations under advisory. Beachgoers should look for signage at the access point and check the Healthy Beaches website before entering the water. While the advisory is in effect, officials recommend avoiding not just swimming but any activity involving water contact, including wading, surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding at this specific site.

Other Flagler County beach access points remain open, and the advisory applies only to the River-to-Sea Preserve beach area. Residents seeking beach access can use other county locations along A1A, though checking current conditions at any beach before visiting is advisable during advisory periods.

Environmental and water quality context

Flagler County's 18-mile Atlantic coastline sits within a broader coastal ecosystem influenced by the Intracoastal Waterway to the west and tidal creeks that drain into the ocean. The northeastern section of the county, where River-to-Sea Preserve is located, is characterized by undeveloped coastal habitat interspersed with residential development along the A1A corridor.

Water quality in nearshore ocean environments reflects conditions both in the immediate coastal zone and in the watersheds that drain to the coast. Flagler County's growth over the past two decades—the county's population has more than doubled since 2000—has increased the amount of developed land and impervious surfaces that affect stormwater runoff patterns. How development, infrastructure, and natural systems interact to influence coastal water quality is an ongoing management challenge for growing coastal counties throughout Florida.

The River-to-Sea Preserve itself was established to protect environmentally sensitive coastal land from development. The preserve's mix of beach, dune, and coastal hammock habitat provides natural filtration and habitat values, but the water quality at the beach is influenced by conditions across a larger area, including tidal exchange and runoff from surrounding properties and roads.

Bacterial contamination events at beaches are typically temporary, particularly when caused by weather-related runoff. Water quality usually improves as bacteria die off naturally in sunlight and saltwater or are flushed out by tidal circulation. The Florida Department of Health's continued monitoring will determine when conditions return to safe levels.

What happens next

The Florida Department of Health-Flagler will continue water quality testing at the River-to-Sea Preserve beach to track bacteria levels. Once follow-up samples show Enterococcus concentrations have dropped below the state's recreational water quality threshold and remain at safe levels, the health department will lift the advisory and notify the public.

Flagler County officials are disseminating the advisory through the county's communication channels, including the county government's Facebook page and website. Residents and visitors planning beach activities should check the Florida Department of Health's Healthy Beaches website for current advisories and test results before visiting any beach location.

State health departments in Florida are required to post updated water quality results weekly during the primary beach season. Test results for River-to-Sea Preserve and other monitored locations are publicly accessible at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches, where users can view current advisories and historical data.

The advisory is part of Florida's routine public health response to water quality issues at recreational beaches. Similar advisories are issued periodically at coastal locations across the state when monitoring detects elevated bacteria levels. Most advisories are lifted within days to weeks once conditions improve, though the specific timeline depends on environmental factors that affect bacterial die-off and water circulation.

As Flagler County continues to grow—with major residential development concentrated along the SR 100 and Old Kings Road corridors and ongoing buildout of Palm Coast—the interaction between development, stormwater management, and coastal water quality will remain a critical public health and environmental management issue. Beach water quality monitoring provides an early-warning system to protect public health while officials and residents work to understand and address the sources of contamination that periodically affect the county's coastal resources.