People & Pets Recommended to Stay Out of the Water at Houghton Beach

Published on September 18, 2024

Media Contact:
David Wolbrecht
Communications Program Manager
dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov
(425) 587-3021

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Beginning September 17, 2024, Public Health – Seattle & King County is recommending that people and pets stay out of the water at Houghton Beach Park for at least one week due to elevated bacteria levels. Signs will be positioned to indicate that people and pets should stay out of the water. The rest of Houghton Beach Park remains open.

Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division tested the water recently and found that the levels of bacteria at these beaches exceeded safe thresholds for bacteria based on the samples collected. King County crews will return to the beaches next week to collect further samples.

For additional details, visit King County’s Lake Swimming Beach Data webpage.

Updates about Houghton Beach Park will be posted on the City webpage.

Why is The Swimming Area Closed? Swim Beaches throughout King County are tested weekly by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. If beach water tests high for bacteria, the swimming area will be closed, and there will be no lifeguards on duty. For testing information or to see which beaches are open/closed please visit the King County Lake Swimming Beach Bacteria page. 

Do you want to be notified of swim beach closures and reopening? Join the King County Lake Beach Alert mailing list.

###