 WAC-034
A cache by Cache and Dash SC Hidden: 4/29/2009
Size:  (Regular) Difficulty:  Terrain:  (1 is easiest, 5 is hardest)
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This series of caches will detail portions of the State's Ocean
Water Quality Monitoring and Notification program. This beach site
is sample location 'WAC-034' in the program and this cache will
detail the use of mathmatical models and upcoming projects in the
works:
MATH MODELING:
In the fall of 2006, a rain model was developed to predict advisory
posting for the 2007 beach monitoring season and seasons
thereafter. This model was developed using data from the five
previous sampling seasons. The model looks at real-time data in the
form of rainfall totals and then calculates the probability of
elevated bacteria levels based on historically similiar conditions
(tidal stage, previous dry days and proximity to outfall pipes or
swashes are just a few of the variables).
Currently the University of South Carolina is in the process of
updating this model to reflect new data collection methods and
reassess the sites that have changed over the course of the last 6
years (outfall pipes removed, beach renourishment, etc). This will
give DHEC a much more accurate tool with which to predict rainfall
effects in a given area of the beach.
UPCOMING PROJECTS:
In 2009, the City of Myrtle Beach is in the process of 'tying'
sections of outfall pipes into one central pipe so as to limit the
number of outfall pipes on found their beaches. Horry County is
also doing a similar project in the Ocean Lakes Campground area but
will additionally augment this with the stormwater drainage under
the dunes by use of a leech field (sort of like a septic tank
system, but for stormwater). The County has also installed an
ultraviolet disinfection system in Pirateland campground to help
create a 'reservoir' of lower concentration waters to mix with the
higher concentration waters during a rain event that would cause
for output onto to the beach at that area.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOVLED?
On April 21, 2009 it was announced that the USEPA has chosen
Surfside Beach to conduct a two-pronged summer-long study every
weekend at the 3rd Avenue North beach access. This study will
assess bather health as well as help to update math models based on
a variety of new variables (wave height, sunlight, wind speed,
outfall flow amounts, etc). Beach patrons can chose whether or not
to partake in the survey. If they choose to participate they will
be briefly surveyed as they exit the beach as to what types of
beach activities they participated in during their stay (swimming,
surfing, just lounging on the beach, etc). A follow-up survey will
be conducted via phone with each participant after 10-12 days to
see if any health effects became evident. Participants who complete
this final follow-up survey will be sent a check for $25.00! Beach
patrons at this site are eligible to participate every 30 days, so
you could make $75.00 over the course of the summer just by going
to the beach and enjoying our beautiful SC coast!
Info about the cache series: Each cache in the "WAC" series
will have items pertaining to the State's "Stay Well in the Water"
program or in the case of WAC-034, items from the Town of Surfside.
Feel free to take one from each cache and I'll try to keep them all
stocked with different items. Also, each cacher that logs finds at
all four caches in the series will get a special "Stay Well in the
Water" totebag! (One per family of cachers, please). Check out all
four, learn the background and facts and become educated so you can
help educate others!
For further information check out the rest of the caches in the
series:
WAC-004: Program Overview
WAC-019: Permanent Signs and Advisories
WAC-041: Tier Classification System and Sampling Procedure
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