Polluted Seaside & Lakes

Is it safe to wade in the Bay near Albany?

Nov 2007

My kids recently went wading in the Bay near Albany. They had a great time. But I noticed there were no other kids in the water, just dogs. Is the ocean too polluted in the Bay to be safe for kids to wade? concerned mom

I do think the bay is polluted. I also think that beach at the Albany bulb (where you were) is a funnel for nasty-things. You may notice that there are almost always dead birds, fish, etc on the beach or other types of nasty trash. However, there's a big difference between wading and swimming. I wouldn't forbid wading in the water, but I'd definitely think twice before dunking my head! My dogs do go in the water, and sometimes even drink it which is gross, but they haven't gotten sick. Also remember that dogs are pooping on the beach, so even the sand is iffy, even though I think most people clean up after their dogs. -- No Swimming at the Bulb!

i may be nuts, but i think the bay is not clean enough for wading. i don't let my kids in it. if they did get wet, i would take them home for a bath. i am a germ-o-phobe. anon

To concerned mom - There was an oil spill in the Bay on November 7th. For beach closures, see: http://adc.asm.ca.gov/issues/bayareaoilspill/ Anon

The Bay is certainly polluted, obviously much more so since the oil spill. But I'd allow my 4-year-old to frolic in the water at the ''beach'' in Alameda (before the oil spill). The Albany beach I avoid for kids, not because of the polluted water, but because the one time I went there with my daughter and some friends one of the 2-year-olds almost stepped onto a hypodermic needle sticking pointy-side out of the sand (she was barefoot). It was so scary. anon