San Bernardino County Municipal Code Art. 2 Natural Water Recreational Resort (nwrr)

For bathing beaches along lakes and water courses, or natural settings with partial artificial construction or development, evaluation of the suitability shall include:

(a) A sanitary survey of the area’s watershed;

(b) How water quality is affected by the area’s meteorology;

(c) Any epidemiological data linking illnesses to use of the area;

(d) The water circulation and dilution patterns;

(e) Hazard analysis for the location or submerged objects, sharp drop-offs, stability of bottom, slopes and depths, dangerous currents, eddies and deep pools and water clarity;

(f) The proposed activities and access devices;

(g) Plan review.

(Ord. 3105, passed - -1986)

(a) The waters and environs of all NWRR bathing area(s) shall be kept free of slime, algae, aquatic growths, organic sediments, debris and other offensive materials to the extent necessary to prevent accidents, drownings and public nuisances. The breeding of mosquitoes, midges, water snails, and other aquatic pests shall be properly controlled.

(b) Hazards:

(1) No person or entity shall allow the use of any NWRR without first and periodically thereafter carefully sounding the depth of the water in the bathing area, and locating all eddies, pools, and dangerous currents, sunken logs, projections and obstructions in the stream, river or lake.

(2) No person or entity shall allow use of any NWRR without posting prominent signs indicating, in conspicuous letters at least four inches high (or as directed by the DEHS) the depth of the water in the bathing area, the location of all pools and eddies, and the presence and direction of dangerous currents, sunken logs, rocks, projections, and obstructions in the water. The signs shall be placed and permanently maintained adjacent to the bathing area when bathing and/or swimming is permitted or invited.

(3) No person or entity shall maintain a NWRR unless safety ropes and buoys are so located and permanently maintained wherever necessary to show the location of eddies, pools, dangerous currents, sunken obstructions, and other hidden dangers to bathers in the water.

(Ord. 3105, passed - -1986)

(a) Shape. The bathing shorelines shall be formed and maintained in wide curves, shall avoid sharp angles or narrow confined inlets and shall otherwise avoid any design likely to impede circulation, obstruct visibility, or create any public health or safety hazard. A supplemental means of circulation (inflow and outflow of water) shall be provided as necessary if evidence of present inadequate circulation is observed by the enforcing agent. Such supplemental circulation methods shall first be approved by the DEHS.

(b) Design and Operation of Swimming/Wading Areas. All swimming/wading and similar water contact activities shall be restricted to specified areas which shall be conspicuously marked by buoys located at the four and one-half foot depth, and at the outer perimeter of said areas. Such buoys shall be placed at proper intervals, be of such size, and be marked with numerals/colors or signs sufficient to inform users of the water depth at such buoys, and shall otherwise be sufficient to warn users and boaters of the deep water swimming area limits. The bottom slope of the swimming/wading areas from the shoreline to the four and one-half foot depth shall be not more than one foot vertical in each 12 feet horizontal.

(c) Bottom Composition. The bottom of the swimming and wading area from the shoreline to the four and one-half feet depth shall be covered with river-run rounded sand particles or other approved light-colored material, and sufficiently thick to prevent abrasion of feet by rocks and to contrast a submerged bather’s body against a light-colored background.

(d) Surface Drainage. Except for natural springs and streams all surrounding surface drainage, such as from streets, gutters, and every other significant source of polluted water from the land surrounding the body of water, shall be properly diverted away from the water body and disposed of in such a manner so as to not create a public nuisance. Minor flows into the body of water may be permitted by DEHS when water quality standards are not adversely affected. When run-off and drainage create significant public health risks, water contact shall be halted immediately and warning signs shall be conspicuously posted and maintained by the operator. Water contact shall not resume without written approval from DEHS.

(e) Lifeguards. One of the following methods shall be used for determining the number of lifeguards: 1. At least one lifeguard shall be assigned for each 75 bathers or fraction thereof. Under special circumstances (such as impaired water clarity beyond a depth of two feet) additional lifeguards shall be required, with at least one lifeguard per 25 bathers or fraction thereof; 2. or a lifeguard safety plan shall be submitted which includes stationing and areas of responsibility. The plan should include and consideration be given to pool depth, wave action, line of sight, bather loads, training procedures, emergency procedures, lifeguard rotation, and other special conditions which might affect the safety of the bathers. The plan must ensure the safety of bathers and be on file with the enforcing agent.

Lifeguards shall possess qualifications at least equivalent to those provided at Health and Safety Code § 116028 and shall additionally possess an unexpired card showing completion of an approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course, and be in good physical condition. Lifeguard stations shall be located as close as practicable to the bathing area shoreline and within 30 feet of the shoreline. Lifeguards shall be isolated from the user public by occupying elevated seats or stands. All lifeguards on duty shall be identified by distinguishing apparel, emblems or signs. When on duty, lifeguards shall not perform any other duty, and shall not be in the water except in the line of duty. Lifeguards shall be provided with adequate safety equipment such that they may properly perform their duties. Rescue equipment shall be readily available to each rescue station and include rescue tubes/buoys, swim masks, life rings with attached rope, and rescue boards or boats, as may be required by the DEHS. When any lake is of such size that unaided swimming by lifeguards may not offer sufficient protection to swimmers, the DEHS may require that one or more square stern boats be provided. Safety equipment shall be accessible, plainly marked, and kept in good repair. Adequate first aid supplies shall be present, and include at least one American Red Cross 24 Unit or equivalent first aid kit. Every NWRR shall at all times have an approved back board, stretcher, and blankets readily available for emergency use only.

(f) Communication. Telephone/radio equipment shall be readily available and operable at or near the lifeguard stations such that outside emergency aid/personnel can be quickly summoned. The “911" emergency number shall be posted at the nearest telephone(s).

(g) Clarity. Water clarity should be maintained so that the entire bottom is visible from the lifeguard stations. For nonrestricted use, a minimum visibility of four and one-half feet shall be maintained within the entire designated swim area whenever it is open. Warning signs for impaired water clarity shall be conspicuously posted whenever the minimum visibility cannot be maintained. A registered civil engineer should be consulted for remedial measures to be taken on the bottom composition if the water clarity is impaired. The bathing area shall be closed when clarity is so impaired that a six inch black disc on a white background is not clearly visible at a two foot depth. Appropriate signs indicating the swimming/bathing area closure, and the reason for said closure, shall be conspicuously posted by the owner/operator. The swimming/bathing area shall not be placed back into operation without written permission from the DEHS.

(h) Bathing Capacity. A minimum of 25 square feet of water surface area per bather shall be provided in the shallow water area depths less than four and one-half feet, and at least 75 square feet per bather shall be provided per bather in deeper areas.

(Ord. 3105, passed - -1986)

(a) A designated swimming and/or wading area shall be provided per § 33.1124(b) with bottom composition per § 33.1124(c) and with water clarity per § 33.1124(g).

(b) Safety equipment and signs shall be provided and maintained and will include, but are not limited to: Life Ring or throw buoy and line, Rescue Boat per Health and Safety Code § 115980; signs: “Warning, No Lifeguard on Duty, Children Under 14 Should Not Use Without An Adult In Attendance”; an approved mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration diagram; emergency “911" phone number; and a minimum ten unit first aid kits. Signs shall be located so as to be protected from the elements.

(Ord. 3105, passed - -1986)