Water Quality

Galveston Bay Water Quality Affects Swimming and Shellfish Harvesting

Galveston Bay has ongoing water quality issues that can lead to shellfish harvesting closures and swimming advisories after heavy rain.

Galveston County The Great Outdoors

The bay receives runoff from the greater Houston metro area. After heavy rain events, bacteria levels can spike and shellfish harvesting areas get closed. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) monitors oyster and shellfish beds and posts closures online.

For swimming, local authorities sometimes issue advisories after storms or sewage overflows. Before harvesting shellfish from the bay, always check current closure maps. Visit dshs.texas.gov for shellfish closure information, and check tceq.texas.gov for broader water quality data on the bay.

Source to confirm: DSHS — Seafood Safety Division

More Galveston County notes

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