Fecal bacteria forces closure of popular Lake Washington swimming area

The weather might be perfect to jump into one of our local lakes, but you won’t be able to take a dip at Meydenbauer Beach in Bellevue anytime soon. The swimming area is off-limits after city officials found high levels of fecal bacteria in the water.

Officials have posted signs near the swimming area, though the Meydenbauer Beach Park remains open.

The city is investigating the cause and will continue testing and monitoring the water. It will remain closed until the bacteria counts drop to a safe level.

All other swim areas at Bellevue beaches have been tested and determined to be within normal ranges, the city said.

King County Water and Land Resources, in cooperation with local jurisdictions, routinely tests and monitors water quality at beaches on Lake Washington to ensure that they are safe for swimmers.