Birch Cove Beach

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Managed by Sierra Club of Canada Foundation - Atlantic Canada Chapter
Our Harbour Ecosystem Panel on Sackville Wharf Become a citizen scientist!Volunteer with us today

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.

WATER QUALITY
  • Met water quality standards less than 60% of the time
  • Historical Status
  • This status is based on the latest sample, taken on . Sierra Club of Canada Foundation - Atlantic Canada Chapter updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on at
For water quality icon legend, click:   
CURRENT WEATHER
7°C
Clear
  • Report Pollution
MONITORING FREQUENCY

Birch Cove Beach is sampled weekly from July 1st to August 31st

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

Birch Cove Beach

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Managed by Sierra Club of Canada Foundation - Atlantic Canada Chapter
WATER QUALITY
  • Met water quality standards less than 60% of the time
  • Historical Status
  • This status is based on the latest sample, taken on . Sierra Club of Canada Foundation - Atlantic Canada Chapter updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on at
For water quality icon legend, click:   
CURRENT WEATHER
7°C
Clear
Our Harbour Ecosystem Panel on Sackville Wharf Become a citizen scientist!Volunteer with us today

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.

  • Report Pollution
MONITORING FREQUENCY

Birch Cove Beach is sampled weekly from July 1st to August 31st

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



Swim Guide shares the best information we have at the moment you ask for it. Always obey signs at the beach or advisories from official government agencies. Stay alert and check for other swimming hazards such as dangerous currents and tides. Please report your pollution concerns so Affiliates can help keep other beach-goers safe.

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