Ocean Beach Dog Beach Closed Following Sewage Spill
Ocean Beach Dog Beach in San Diego is closed to the public following a sewage spill that released approximately 18,000 gallons of wastewater into the San Diego River on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The spill also resulted in lane closures on Friars Road near SeaWorld Drive.
Spill Details and Impact
According to the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ), the spill originated from a valve failure at a pumping station near the intersection of Friars Road and Old Sea World Drive. An estimated 9,000 gallons of sewage reached the San Diego River [NBC San Diego].
The DEHQ announced the closure of the area where the San Diego River meets Dog Beach, advising beachgoers to avoid the water due to potential health risks [NBC San Diego]. The closure will remain in effect until water quality testing confirms the area is safe for public access.
Westbound traffic on Friars Road has been reduced to one lane as crews work to repair the valve and clean up the spill [MSN].
Broader Beach Closures and Advisories
The Ocean Beach Dog Beach closure is not an isolated incident. Several other beaches in the San Diego area remain closed or under advisory due to sewage-related contamination. These include:
- Tijuana Slough
- Imperial Beach
- Silver Strand
- Coronado Shoreline
the DEHQ has issued advisories for:
- Tidelands Park
- North Cove Vacation Isle
- Campland
- De Anza Cove
- La Jolla Cove
- Avenida de la Playa
- Moonlight Beach
- San Luis Rey River
- La Jolla Children’s Pool
Ongoing Monitoring and Information
San Diego County is actively monitoring water quality at affected beaches. For the latest information, the public can visit www.sdbeachinfo.com [Times of San Diego]. The City of San Diego is investigating the cause of the valve failure and determining the full extent of the sewage release [Yahoo News].