DHH: Fourchon, Grand Isle beaches unfit for swimming

Good news: access to Fourchon Beach has been extended through Labor Day weekend.

Bad news for beachgoers, however: A swim advisory has been issued for Fourchon and Grand Isle beaches after water samples indicated high levels of bacteria, state officials warned.

The samples were collected Thursday.

The advisory was issued to alert the public about unhealthy water conditions, according to the state Department of Health and Hospitals’ BEACH Monitoring Program.

The advisory is not to be confused with a closure, officials said. The beaches remain open for boating and fishing.

The warning is intended to alert citizens that high levels of enteric bacteria – which come from the intestinal tracts of humans and animals – were detected. Swimming at the two beaches should be avoided because the high levels of bacteria pose a potential health risk, the DHH reported.

High bacteria levels can stem from a number of causes: storm runoff, livestock and wildlife or human sewage, officials said. Symptoms of the disease-causing organisms include sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping or fever. The risk of contracting disease is heightened during swimming by swallowing or being dunked under the water.

The Louisiana BEACH Monitoring Program is a partnership between the Department of Health and Hospitals, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Louisiana Office of State Parks, Cameron Parish Police Jury, the town of Grand Isle, Lafourche Parish Police Jury and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In the meantime, visitors to Fourchon Beach can continue to use vehicles to access the area through Sept. 15.

Motorists can access the area across Fourchon Bridge, right onto the Chevron access road, across Pass Fourchon and left onto the beach.

The temporary access involves cooperation between the Greater Lafourche Port Commission and the Edward Wisner Trust. The Port Commission, Lafourche Parish Government and others are working toward a long-term solution for public access to the beaches of Lafourche Parish.

“Hopefully we will able to come to a long term solution in time to re-open the beach to vehicular access by the spring,” said Port Director Ted Falgout.

For information on Fourchon Beach, contact the Greater Lafourche Port Commission Public Information Line at (985) 798-5335.

For information on the status of the state’s monitoring at various beaches, visit www.ophbeachmonitoring.com.