Beach Water Advisory Updates for Mississippi Coast

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has issued a beach water contact advisory for Gulfport East Beach and lifted one for Lakeshore Beach. Several other advisories remain in effect for various beaches along the Mississippi coast.

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What changed

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has updated its beach water advisories. A new advisory has been issued for Gulfport East Beach, indicating potential increased risk of illness associated with swimming in that area. Conversely, the advisory for Lakeshore Beach has been lifted, suggesting improved water quality conditions.

Regulated entities and the public should be aware that multiple advisories remain in effect for other beaches, including Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian (West, Central, and East), Long Beach, and Gulfport West. The MDEQ recommends avoiding swimming during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall. While this is a notice of advisory status and not a rule change, it impacts public access and recreational use of these coastal areas.

What to do next

Review current beach water advisory status for affected areas.
Communicate advisory status to relevant stakeholders and the public as appropriate.

Source document (simplified)

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The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, through its Beach Monitoring Program, has issued one beach water contact advisory and lifted one. The beach is not closed; however, there may be an increased risk of illness associated with swimming in this area. When water samples show that bacteria levels are safe for contact, the advisory will be lifted.

An ADVISORY has been ISSUED for:
· Gulfport East Beach— the affected area is from Tegarden eastward to Anniston Ave. (Station 11)

An advisory has been LIFTED for:
· Lakeshore Beach — the affected area is from Silver Slipper Casino eastward to Pointset Ave. (Station 1)

Advisories are STILL in effect for:
· Bay St. Louis Beach — the affected area is from Box Culvert eastward to Ballantine St. (Station 4)
· Pass Christian West Beach — the affected area is from Fort Henry Ave eastward to Elliot St. (Station 5)
· Pass Christian Central Beach — the affected area is from Henderson Ave eastward to Hiern Ave. (Station 6)
· Pass Christian East Beach — the affected area is from Espy Ave eastward to Hayden Ave. (Station 7) · Long Beach Beach — the affected area is from Oak Gardens eastward to Girard. (Station 7A)
· Gulfport West Beach — the affected area is from Marie Ave eastward to Camp Ave. (Station 8)

Swimmers are reminded that the Beach Task Force has a standing recommendation that swimming should not occur during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall.

More information about the Mississippi Beach Monitoring Program and the location of beach sampling stations is available here.
To be included in a public group list to receive beach advisories directly, text “MDEQbeach” to (833)259-4545 or follow MDEQ on Twitter: @MDEQ. More News