Planning and Natural Resources staff are expected to hit Magens Bay Monday to test the water after extensive runoff, caused by the increase in rain over the past week, shut down the beach Friday and forced Magens Bay Authority officials to raise the yellow flag.
Magens Bay Authority Executive Director Hubert Brumant told the Source Sunday that swimmers were not allowed in the water Friday, but there were residents out and about Sunday afternoon, even though the flag was still up.
"This is to be expected," he said. "This happens during the year; there is nothing we can really do about it. When there’s a lot of rain like we’ve been having, millions of gallons of water will go into the bay. Sometimes mother nature just takes her course and there is nothing you can do to prevent it."
Brumant said that while no one was allowed in the water Friday, activities were allowed to continue during at least part of the weekend, after the general 48-hour rule went into effect, though many of the businesses at the beach were closed.
The authority was not charging admission in on Sunday, but at least one resident on the property this weekend said the authority did open up the mangrove gut in the middle of the beach to let the tarpon and fish out.
Many said the bay was still brown by Sunday afternoon, and Brumant said Magens Bay Authority crew members were posted around the property to make sure everything was in order. DPNR is expected to come in by Monday to finish water quality testing, Brumant said.
Brumant added he expects the flag to come down during the early part of the week.
