Birch Cove Beach

Managed by Re-imagining Atlantic Harbours in 2050

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Birch Cove beach was awarded Blue Flag status in 2013 and 2014. This is the first beach in Nova Scotia to receive the Blue Flag status.

This beach is tested for both E. coli and Fecal Enterococci.

The beach is supervised in summer months and has an adjoining park for exploring. A popular paddling spot, the world canoe championships were held here several years ago, so the lakefront amenities, including washrooms and outdoor showers, were all given upgrades. The beach has about 200 visitors a day in the summer, and is located on a bus line, making it accessible to everyone.

The beach is located on the shoreline of Lake Banook. The ICF championships were last held in Lake Banook in 2009. There are also bicycle lock stands available on-site. Several aquatic clubs are based on Lake Banook: Banook Canoe Club, Senobe Canoe Club, Micmac Amateur Aquatic Club, North Star Rowing Club.

Get directions to this beach

COVID-19

Keep your distance from other people.

Practicing social distancing is essential right now. Follow the advice of the health experts. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Heading to the beach should only be considered an option if social distancing practices can be followed. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter the efforts to curb the virus’ spread.

For more information, please visit the World Health Organization public resource on COVID-19.

Water Quality

Met water quality standards less than 60% of the time
Historical Status
This status is based on the latest sample, taken on September 6th, 2020. Re-imagining Atlantic Harbours in 2050 updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on September 6th, 2020 at 12:13 PM.

For water quality icon legend, click:

Current Weather

-1°C

Mostly clear

Report Pollution

Monitoring Frequency

Source Information

Halifax Regional Municipality staff monitor Halifax beaches and collects samples at designated beaches weekly from July 1st to August 31st. All designated beaches are tested for E. coli and some saltwater beaches are tested for Enterococci. When bacteria counts exceed the provincial standard, the beach is considered to be unsafe for swimming and warning signs are posted at the beach. When bacteria counts exceed the provincial standard, the municipality also publishes Public Service Announcements on its website and announces the beach closure through social media channels.

Swim Guide checks the Halifax Regional Municipality website daily for updates during the swimming season.

A beach is marked Green when when the geometric mean of 5 samples collected within a 30-day period is below 200 E. coli / 100 ml of water.

A beach is marked Red when the geometric mean of 5 samples collected within a 30-day period exceeds 200 E. coli / 100 ml of water or when a single sample exceeds 400 E. coli / 100 ml of water. Officials will also close a beach if the Enterococci level reaches 70 counts per 100 ml of water.

Beaches may be retested when counts exceed 200 E.Coli per 100 ml of water. When counts exceed 35 Enterococci per 100 ml beaches are retested every 24-48 hours until levels drop below the accepted levels and closure is considered.

A beach is marked Grey when reliable or up-to-date information is not available.

****Swimming lessons are offered at all supervised beaches. In 2014, these lessons were offered at no cost.******

Water Quality Graph