Beaches
Beach Information
The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) regulates public swimming beaches. To find out if a particular beach is open, contact the beach directly. 
- Beaver Island State Park: 716-773-3271
- Bennett Beach: 716-947-5660
- Evangola State Park: 716-549-1802 (Monday – Friday), 716-549-1050 (Saturday-Sunday)
- Evans Town Park Beach: 716-549-0970
- Green Lake Beach: 716-662-6450
- Hamburg Beach: 716-646-5145 (M-F); 716-648-1817 (Sat, Sun & Holidays)
- Lake Erie Beach: 716-549-0970
- Woodlawn Beach State Park: 716-826-1930
Water Quality Model
The ECDOH uses a water quality model to determine if the if the water is safe for swimming at Hamburg Beach. Woodlawn State Park Beach uses its own model. Bennett Beach and the Town of Evans beaches use the E. coli bacteria count from the water sample taken the day before.
The ECDOH uses a software program called Virtual Beach, which is the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) model to predict water quality. Each beach has its own model based on historical data. The software collects weather and other environmental data each morning before the beaches open. The data is then arranged by the US Geological Survey NowCast program to determine if it safe for the beach to open. Beaches can open if the E.coli colony forming units per 100 mL (cfu/100 mL) is under 235. For additional information on the water quality models see the Beach Program pamphlet.
Public Pools & Pools in Spas
The ECDOH regulates pools located in:
- Municipal Housing Complexes
- Hotels, Motels
- Schools
- Campgrounds and Children's Camps
- Membership Clubs
Swimming Pool Application - application to submit plans for a new public swimming pool or modifications to an existing public swimming pool
Additional Information & Resources
- US Geological Survey Interactive Map
- Swimming Related Illnesses
- NY State Beach Water Quality Map
- Swimming Pools/Bathing Beaches/Recreational Aquatic Spray Grounds
- Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (P&SS Act)
- Shallow Water Blackout video
- When Being Careful is Not Enough...Taking Steps to Prevent Drowning
- PoolSafety.gov
- Swimming - True/False Questions
- Healthy Swimming: Stop Germs from Making You Sick
- Sun Safety
Contact
Environmental Health Division
503 Kensington Ave
Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 961-6800
Fax: (716) 961-6880
For Emergencies after regular business hours: 716-961-7898