3 Lake Washington swimming beaches closed due to high levels of bacteria

Gene Coulon Memorial Park, Madison Park Beach and Matthews Beach are closed indefinitely due to dangerous levels of poop in the water, says King County.

By Bailey Jo Josie bailey.jo.josie@soundpublishing.com • July 12, 2023 4:25 pm
As of July 10, the bacteria levels at Gene Coulon Memorial Park, Madison Park Beach and Matthews Beach have been found to be too high and unsafe to swim in. Image courtesy of King County
As of July 10, the bacteria levels at Gene Coulon Memorial Park, Madison Park Beach and Matthews Beach have been found to be too high and unsafe to swim in. Image courtesy of King County

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, King County found that there is too much bacteria.

Along with Madison Park Beach and Matthews Beach of northwest Lake Washington, Gene Coulon Memorial Park in Renton is closed indefinitely due to high levels of bacteria in the water.

After the latest sampling event on Monday, July 10, King County announced that the levels of bacteria at the three beaches are too high and that swimmers must stay out of the water.

From the King County website, water at more than two dozen lake beaches that are popular swimming spots are regularly tested for bacteria every year from mid-May to mid-September. If water tests find high bacteria, it means that there are high levels of poop from people, pets, or wildlife in the water, which can carry germs that make people ill.

All three swimming beaches are closed indefinitely.