Updated: August 30, 2022

Most swimming beaches in Seattle will close for the summer season on Monday, Sept. 5 according to the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department. In the meantime, four public swimming beaches in King County are still closed this week along Lake Washington after a sewage spill led to dangerous bacteria levels in the water last week. One, Madrona Beach in Seattle, reopened after bacterial levels went down there.

The beaches that are still closed due to high bacteria levels include:

• Gene Coulon (Renton)
• Matthews Beach (Seattle)
• Mevdenbauer Bay Beach (Bellevue)
• Newcastle Beach (Bellevue)

County health officials test swim beaches in King County along Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish for bacteria weekly from May to September. The tests are designed to detect feces or toxic algae in the water. Because bacteria has been detected, the county advises people to stay out of the water at these beaches and to keep pets away from the water as well.

Swimming in contaminated water can make people or pets sick. For updates check out the King County website.

Read more at Seattle’s Child:

“Guide to swimming pools (inside and out)”