Swimming in the bay (Miami, Tallahassee: new construction, dangerous, eat)

[nbv4]

In regards to there being a lot of boating activity in the bay: Yes, but what about that specific 1000 feet stretch between the mainland and the tiny island in question? I imagine not many boats would go through there, especially on a cloudy day when there are less boats anyway. The swim would take me 15 minutes.

[cixcell]

Originally Posted by nbv4

In regards to there being a lot of boating activity in the bay: Yes, but what about that specific 1000 feet stretch between the mainland and the tiny island in question? I imagine not many boats would go through there, especially on a cloudy day when there are less boats anyway. The swim would take me 15 minutes.

depends on how shallow it is

[Coconut1]

Originally Posted by Chelito23

My advice wasn't because the water in the bay is polluted ***** (although in downtown you see storm drains that say not to throw garbage-drains to bay). It is just a busy BOATING waterway.

There are beaches on the Bay...there is one in Coral Gables at Matheson Hammock (but if memory serves it is like a Keys beach, it is almost like a pool with large rocks walling it off from the bay. I have no idea why they do this.

There is also a bayside beach on the way to Key Biscaybe on Virginia Key I believe...

I have been there with my dog as it is a "dog" beach, probably another reason why people don't swim there. But I think the MAIN reason besides the previous ones are that the bay is naturally very shallow and you walk out 50 feet and the water is still at your knees and obviously too hot to be refreshing in the summer.

Somebody else had mentioned pollution on here. While there is without a doubt pollution in the bay, it's not like you'd be swimming in a sewer like many other bodies of water.

Wasn't aware there were some beaches, thanks for the info. I don't mind a Keys style beach. I think it would add a lot to Downtown to have a roped off swimming area, especially since they already have the sand portion of the park at Bayfront.

[cixcell]

Originally Posted by Coconut1

Somebody else had mentioned pollution on here. While there is without a doubt pollution in the bay, it's not like you'd be swimming in a sewer like many other bodies of water.

Wasn't aware there were some beaches, thanks for the info. I don't mind a Keys style beach. I think it would add a lot to Downtown to have a roped off swimming area, especially since they already have the sand portion of the park at Bayfront.

also the high heat, high humidity and insane ultraviolet break down pollution far faster here

[doggiebus]

Originally Posted by Coconut1

Somebody else had mentioned pollution on here. While there is without a doubt pollution in the bay, it's not like you'd be swimming in a sewer like many other bodies of water.

Very true, but go just two miles off Miami Beach and you will find a nice place where the fishies hangout for their food to be pumped out of. A friend of mine is a boat captain and they go out there to get their bait fish.

[cixcell]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

Very true, but go just two miles off Miami Beach and you will find a nice place where the fishies hangout for their food to be pumped out of. A friend of mine is a boat captain and they go out there to get their bait fish.

lol. yummy!

[Chelito23]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

Very true, but go just two miles off Miami Beach and you will find a nice place where the fishies hangout for their food to be pumped out of. A friend of mine is a boat captain and they go out there to get their bait fish.

I have seen this on the news as well, aparently, from my understanding, raw sewage overflow is dumped into the ocean at that point when there is a problem, overflow or flooding. It then results in the beaches being closed for a few days. Is this correct? I don't know any specifics but this has been my observational experience over the years.

[doggiebus]

^^^Sounds about right, I don't know if it it is used just for the overflow or all the time. I thought it was all the time. "All Drains Lead To The Ocean" Nemo taught us.

I would assume this is one of the causes of why the beaches get shut down for high numbers of bad stuff in the water. It can't all be swept out to sea or eaten, its only two miles off the coast.

They shut the one off the coast of Boca I believe because residents complained enough. But they left the other ones open.

This link has some photos http://www.biscaynetimes.com/columns..._0806_pipe.htm

[tallrick]

Originally Posted by Chelito23

I have seen this on the news as well, aparently, from my understanding, raw sewage overflow is dumped into the ocean at that point when there is a problem, overflow or flooding. It then results in the beaches being closed for a few days. Is this correct? I don't know any specifics but this has been my observational experience over the years.

Yes and whenever it storms water overwhelms the sewers and they are released through overflow tubes. The storm drains also allow waste to find its way to the bay. The sewage systems in the area are old, and prone to fail every summer. Same thing a bit north.

Fort Lauderdale water customers asked to reduce use due to broken sewer line - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

[cixcell]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

^^^Sounds about right, I don't know if it it is used just for the overflow or all the time. I thought it was all the time. "All Drains Lead To The Ocean" Nemo taught us.

I would assume this is one of the causes of why the beaches get shut down for high numbers of bad stuff in the water. It can't all be swept out to sea or eaten, its only two miles off the coast.

They shut the one off the coast of Boca I believe because residents complained enough. But they left the other ones open.

This link has some photos Biscayne Boulevard Times

in southern california there is a stamp in the concrete or sign painted on them by the storm drains that says they lead to the ocean as if to remind people.