People & Pets Should Stay Out of the Water at Houghton Beach

KIRKLAND, Wash. – As of 4:45 p.m. on August 5, 2025, Public Health – Seattle & King County is recommending that people and pets continue to stay out of the water at Houghton Beach Park for at least an additional week due to elevated bacteria levels. 

Water quality staff from the King County Water and Land Resources Division notified the City on Tuesday, August 5, that the levels of bacteria continue to exceed the bacteria thresholds. 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. The rest of Houghton Beach Park remains open.  

If beach water tests high for bacteria, the swimming area will be closed, signs will be positioned to indicate that the beach is closed, and there will be no lifeguards on duty.  

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

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

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