Houghton Beach Swimming Area Closed Due to Elevated Bacteria Levels

Published on September 06, 2023

Media Contact:
Sue Romero
Communications Program Coordinator 
sromero@kirklandwa.gov
(425) 587-3017

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Beginning September 6, the Houghton Beach swimming area is closed for at least one week due to elevated bacteria levels per the recommendation of Public Heath – Seattle & King County. People and pets should not swim, drink lake water, or engage in other water activities at Houghton Beach.

Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division tested the water recently and found that the levels of bacteria at the beach exceeded the thresholds for bacteria based on the average of the last three tests. King County crews will return to the beach next week to collect further samples. The swimming area at Houghton Beach Park will reopen when bacteria levels return to a safe range.   

Signs will be positioned to indicate that the swimming areas of the beach are closed.  The rest of Houghton Beach Park is open. City lifeguards will be onsite during the closure to communicate with beachgoers and provide information. 

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

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

Swimming remains open at Kirkland’s other beach parks. Juanita Beach and Waverly Beach parks have lifeguards noon to 6 p.m., seven days a week through September 4.

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.

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