Enewsletter articles for Beach Advisory Decision Making

How's the Beach? water quality app released

How's the Beach app screenshotIAN and the University of South Carolina unveiled the "How's the beach?" water quality prediction app last month. Using data provided by the NOAA National Weather Service, the app provides daily forecasts of beach bacteria concentration at 31 locations along the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina "Grand Strand". The app also provides the latest available bacteria monitoring data, and the current advisory status as issued by the South Carolina department of Health and Environmental Control. We are currently working to expand the app to a new area near St. Petersburg, Florida. The app is available for free on iTunes and the Google Play Store.

Charleston Harbor project newsletter released

Looking at Arthur Ravenel Jr bridge from inside Charleston HarborIAN Program Director Heath Kelsey and Science Communication Assistant Emily Nastase ventured to Charleston, SC to meet with project partners from University of South Carolina, Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association, and Charleston Waterkeeper to revitalize the 'How's the Beach?' website. 'How's the Beach?' is a site that presents health advisories to the public about bacterial levels in Myrtle Beach, SC and Sarasota, FL. The goal for continuing this project is to expand the site to include health advisories for Charleston Harbor. Details about this project can be found in the newsletter, "Assessing bacterial levels in Charleston Harbor".