Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  The Baldwin County Health Department has issued a swimming advisory for waters at the Orange Beach Waterfront Park. The advisory covers Wolf Bay, which runs along the park. Bacteria levels in the water have risen above the level health officials consider safe. The health department urges residents and visitors to avoid swimming in the area.

A swimming advisory means the bacteria levels in the water have exceeded acceptable limits set by health officials. According to the Baldwin County Health Department, water activities are not recommended while the advisory is in effect. This includes swimming, wading, and other direct contact with the water. Anyone visiting the Orange Beach Waterfront Park should take note of the advisory before entering the water.

The health department did not provide a specific timeline for how long they expect the advisory to remain in effect. Officials said they will test the water and issue another notice once bacterial levels return to safe limits. Until then, the advisory remains in effect for Wolf Bay at the Orange Beach Waterfront Park. 

According to Nichole Woerner with Orange Beach Coastal Resources, “We have suspected that charter boats empty their tanks in the back bay, which may be contributing to the contamination. Localized heavy rainstorms on the north side can cause leaky septic systems to discharge into tributaries leading to the bay. With the help of the Pensacola Perdido Bay National Estuary program, we are expanding our water quality testing, especially when environmental conditions don’t appear to be conducive, such as during heavy rainfall events. There could even be a group of pelicans swimming around, and there could be a spike. It's difficult to pinpoint, but there is no obvious culprit.”

Wolf Bay is a shallow bay along the northern edge of the Bear Point Peninsula in Orange Beach. Waterfront Park is a popular public space for fishing, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. Health advisories like this one are common along Gulf Coast waterways, particularly after heavy rainfall or other events that can cause bacterial levels to spike. Officials have not yet identified the source of the elevated bacterial levels in this case.

The Baldwin County Health Department monitors water quality at public access points across the county. When bacterial levels exceed safe thresholds, the department promptly notifies the public. Residents with questions about the advisory can contact the Baldwin County Health Department directly at 251-947-1910 for more information or visit the ADEM/ADPH Coastal Alabama Beach Monitoring Program's webpage.