Coveleigh Club Beach in Rye reopened Wednesday, Aug. 26, after the Westchester County Health Department confirmed water samples met quality standards.

The beach at 459 Stuyvesant Ave. had been closed for five days following the summer's heaviest rainfall event. The area recorded 3.28 inches of rain from Aug. 20, into Aug. 21, triggering an indefinite closure under county health protocols.

The Health Department's clearance also covered beaches in Mamaroneck and New Rochelle, including Harbor Island Park, Beach Point Club, Orienta Beach Club, and Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club, as well as Hudson Park Beach, Davenport Beach Club, Greentree Country Club and Surf Club on the Sound.

Westchester County Government announced on X that beaches closed as a precaution after heavy rainfall could reopen once samples passed testing.

A summer of closures

The Aug. 21 shutdown was the fourth time this summer the Health Department closed Coveleigh Club Beach due to rainfall. Previous closures hit July 7–8 after 1.96 inches of rain, July 19–20 after 1.8 inches, and July 22 after 0.73 inches, according to MyRye.com.

The closures are preemptive. Heavy rain pushes road runoff into stormwater drainage outfalls near the beaches, raising bacteria levels that can cause illness.

Under county protocols, more than half an inch of rain triggers a one-day closure, more than one inch triggers two days, and more than two inches results in a closure of undetermined length until water testing confirms safe conditions.

Residents planning a visit to Coveleigh or other Sound Shore beaches after any rainfall should call the beach directly to confirm it is open before heading out.