As many of you in the Santa Barbara area have probably noticed it has been raining pretty good off and on the past 24 hours. I was thinking about going float tubing or kayaking off goleta or the surrounding area tomorrow or Saturday. I was wondering if rain runoff would be that big a problem. Will I get sick? Does anyone out there know anything about this. The idea sitting with my butt in rain runoff is kind of scary.

Back in Orange County this was only a problem in certain areas, like where the Santa Anna River entered the pacific at Hunnington Beach. Just kind of interested to find out if there are problems in Santa Barbara.

Maybe it is time for me to start investigating some of the lakes in the area.

Jason Chapluk

Jason,
Hendry's Beach use to have a problem with bacteria in the water coming in from the slough, but that's the only health risk I've heard of lately in this area. You might wnat to avoid slough mouths just to be safe. Plus there will be a lot of debris in the water, and mud (which the white seabass might like...). Goleta Beach would probably be pretty safe, the harbor would be fine, I'd stay away from tijiguas also.
-Brian

Cool thanks for the info, but if I get sick would you mind bringing me chicken soup to my dorm room and nursing me back to health. I mean it would only be fair since I am going out because you told me to(just kidding). Anyway I guess I will get out there tomorrow afternoon and Saturday morning anyone can feel free to join me.

Jason

Well as it turns out in my school newpaper today there was an article, it says, "The water at the beaches on 6800 block of Playa Drive, Camio Pescadero and Depressions, and the water in the Campus Lagoon have elevated levels of total coliforms, fecal coliforms and enterococcus--all forms of bacteria. Higher forms of fecal cloriforms in the water mean higher levels of fecal matter, which can contain hepatitis A and typhoid fever."

Basically there was sh*t in the water. And there was a lot too according to a graph we are talking anywhere from 20-60 times the maximum standard. The only beach near campus not effected was campus point(WHEW). So I guess I am safe that is where i was on friday.

Just letting you guys know whats up. Be careful where you go after a rain.

Jason

p.s. anyone who puts even a foot in the Campus Lagoon deserves to get hepatitis A and typhoid both at the same time. That thing is nasty!!!!