Water Quality & Seaweed Conditions

Water Quality Testing

Niagara Region Public Health tests the water at public beaches across the Niagara Region to determine when unsafe levels of bacteria are present.

View Beach Water Testing Results

Seaweed Conditions

During the main operating season, the latest seaweed conditions are available:

Online: Updated Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
At Nickel Beach: On-site signage is updated daily, including on weekends, to reflect current seaweed conditions.

Seaweed Report:

🟩 Green
Zero or minimal algae/smell.
Perfect beach day ahead!

🟡 Yellow
Minimal algae/smell.
Most of the public beach is seaweed-free.

🔸 Orange
Moderate algae/smell.
Less than 50% of the public beach is seaweed-free.

🛑 Red
Heavy algae/strong smell.
Most of the public beach has seaweed accumulation.

Current Status: 🟩Green

Colourful gauge with shapes indicating various levels, needle pointing to green square.

The City of Port Colborne has strict restrictions on removal of seaweed and algae at Nickel Beach put in place by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks.

As per the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks the City of Port Colborne must not remove or disturb any algae/seaweed in the water or wet algae/seaweed on the shoreline. Once the algae/seaweed has dried it can be removed.

These protocols are in place as Nickel Beach provides habitat to the Fowler's Toad which are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

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