Ocean-water quality improving at Poche Beach

DANA POINT, Calif. (KABC) -- The city of Dana Point is using fake coyotes and falcons to scare away seagulls at Poche Beach, one of California's most polluted beaches.

Park rangers say seagulls and their droppings are the reason Poche Beach was listed as one of the 10 dirtiest beaches in the state.

Since 1999, Poche Beach has made Heal the Bay's yearly "California Beach Bummers" list several years in a row.

The county installed a $3 million run-off filtration system to help, but it actually attracted more birds.

"It pumps the fresh water into this pond here so the gulls were getting a nice lunch at the landfill and coming over here for a nice drink," said park ranger Kevin Estrada.

An ultrasound system that emits high-frequency noise, fake falcons and coyotes are helping to clean things up. The water quality has improved, changing Poche Beach's grade from an F to an A.

Even though the beach is in Dana Point, much of the runoff comes from San Clemente. That's why the city is committed to making sure Poche Beach keeps its grade.

The city of San Clemente is also taking water conservation measures to reduce the runoff.