Hou Badestrand

Denmark Coastal 1 - Excellent

Hou Badestrand is a sandy beach approximately 3 kilometres long located at Hou in Vendsyssel. The beach has a sand bottom and is situated along the Kattegat. Water depth reaches approximately 1.5 metres at 180 metres from the shore. The beach is classified as excellent for bathing water quality based on monitoring of indicator bacteria over the previous four years.

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Water

Kattegat coastal water body. Sandy beach approximately 3 kilometres long with beach width of 10–50 metres. Sand bottom. Water depth reaches approximately 1.5 metres at 180 metres from shore. Typical salinity is 18–32 ‰. Dominant current runs northward.

Location

Hou Badestrand is located at Hou in Vendsyssel. Address: Stigsborg Brygge 5, 9400 Nørresundby. Public toilet and waste bins are available at the beach.

Facilities

Public toilet, lifejackets, waste bins.

Season

Bathing season during which water samples are taken and analysed.

Water Quality

Bathing water is classified as excellent. Water samples are analysed during the bathing season for two indicator bacteria: E. coli and intestinal enterococci. Classification is based on bacterial concentration data from the previous four years. Possible faecal pollution sources include a leisure boat harbour, holiday home septic systems, watercourses, a lake with elevated bacterial levels at its outflow, and stormwater discharge outlets.

Risks

Macroalgae (seaweed) may occur at the beach edge; bathing near large accumulations is not recommended due to potential toxin formation and bacterial survival. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) bloom risk exists in the Kattegat, potentially causing skin irritation and poisoning if large quantities are ingested. Phytoplankton growth is assessed as minor. Glass shards, general waste, and chemical pollution including oil spills may occasionally occur. Short-term pollution typically results from heavy rainfall and is communicated via notice boards and the municipality website.