A SCHEME FOR GENERATION OF CONTROLLED WATER TEMPERATURE BEACHES

The relatively low water temperature in subtropical sea beaches during fall and spring prevents bathing during fair weather days. Similarly, low water temperature limits the bathing period during the summer in many mid-latitude beaches. Generation of a warm water beach is suggest ed by using the cooling water of electric power plants. The concept is developed in this article in light of beach design considerations, wa ter and air temperature climatology, the heat balance of the beach wat er, and warm beach attractiveness. It is concluded that in many locati ons in the United States development of thermally controlled beaches w ould extend the annual bathing period. The beach development and opera tional economic considerations are likely to vary significantly from o ne potential site to another, and would have to be examined in detail in future feasibility studies.