Houghton Beach Reopened for Water Activities

Published on July 08, 2025

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

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Houghton Beach has been reopened as of today, July 8, for swimming, wading and other water activities, by recommendation of Public Health – Seattle & King County. The beach had been closed to swimming since June 24 due to elevated bacteria levels. 

Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division tested the water this week and notified the City that the waters were again safe for recreational use. King County crews will return weekly to the beach throughout the summer to take samples to ensure that the water is safe.    

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

Why do the swimming areas close? 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.   

For more information about beach closures please watch our video, which explains the science behind what causes these perennial closures and provides all of us with suggestions on what we can do to help avoid closures like this in the future. 

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

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