Bay Area beachgoers, you might want to rethink your weekend plans. King County Public Health officials are waving the red flag at Houghton and Juanita Beaches, urging both humans and their furry companions to steer clear of the waters. According to the City of Kirkland announcement released at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, bacteria levels have gone rogue, surpassing the safety standards for a good splash. In a classic case of 'safety first', signs are going up to ward off any potential water enthusiasts from taking a dip.
The problem at the beach is unwanted bacteria that showed up without warning. King County Water and Land staff took water samples and confirmed the issue. Crews will return next week to test again and see if it’s safe to go back in the water, as reported by the City of Kirkland.
For those looking to stay in the loop, or just curious about the water quality at their favorite beach spot, the King County Lake Swimming Beach Data webpage is your go-to for updates. You'll find everything you need to know, from the nitty-gritty testing details to a simplified 'open/closed' status of the beaches, as per the City of Kirkland.
If you're wondering why the beach is closed, here's why: King County tests swim beaches every week. If bacteria levels are too high, swimming is stopped to keep everyone safe. The City of Kirkland will post updates about Juanita Beach Park on their website.
