Wave goodbye to the "no swimming" signs, Kirkland residents, because Juanita Beach is officially back in business for all your aquatic fun. As per an announcement from Public Health – Seattle & King County, the beach has been cleared for swimming, wading, and other water-based activities starting yesterday, May 28. The reopening comes after a brief hiatus; the beach was off-limits for a week due to concerns over elevated bacteria levels, a hazard to the health of both humans and the local environment, as reported by the City of Kirkland.
In the effort to always keep a safe eye on the waters, King County Water and Land Resources Division's water quality staff went hands-on to test the waters this week. The results were clear, and they didn't hesitate to give the all-clear to the City. According to a statement obtained by the City of Kirkland's official website, diligent King County crews plan to quickly return weekly throughout the steaming summer months to sample the waters and ensure they remain safe for everyone's enjoyment.
When bacteria levels are too high at King County swim beaches, they close—and lifeguards get a break too, since no one can swim. To avoid surprise closures, you can join the King County Lake Beach Alert mailing list for updates. You’ll know right away whether to bring your swim gear or just relax in the sun. For the latest info, check the King County Lake Swimming Beach Bacteria page, where they post test results regularly, as reported by the City of Kirkland.
Also, for an exploration into the "Why do the swimming areas close?" of beach closures, there's a handy video. It explains what causes these unwanted breaks in our beach-going and how we can all help to prevent them, as per the City of Kirkland.
