MYNORTHWEST NEWS

10 Puget Sound beaches closed for fecal bacteria

Jul 2, 2021, 5:54 PM

beaches bacteria...

(Washington State Department of Ecology)

(Washington State Department of Ecology)

Several popular King County beaches are closed during the July 4 holiday weekend because of high levels of fecal bacteria.

Seattle Parks to close Alki Beach early, turn on park lights to prevent crime, damage

The state Department of Ecology and local health departments have issued a no-contact advisory for 10 beaches in four counties until further notice. Those beach include:

Jefferson County

Irondale Beach Park
Point Whitney Tidelands

King County

Saltwater State Park
Redondo County Park
Des Moines Beach Park
Carkeek Park

Mason County

Potlatch State Park
Twanoh State Park
Belfair State Park

Thurston County

Burfoot County Park

Scientists say the extreme heat from last weekend likely caused high levels of bacteria. The high temperatures may have acted like an incubator for bacteria growth. Additionally, it also could be due to the larger than normal crowds using beaches to seek relief from the heat.

If you ignore the warnings and decide to swim anyway, the Department of Ecology says you should shower immediately after getting out of the water or when you return home.

MyNorthwest News

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)...

KIRO Newsradio staff

Early morning shooting in downtown Tacoma leaves two dead, one injured

Police in Tacoma are investigating the deaths of two men following a shooting in the city's downtown area.

18 hours ago

A photo of a bald eagle. (Photo: Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)...

MyNorthwest Staff

Lummi Nation member pleads guilty to federal charges after two bald eagles allegedly shot

A 39-year-old Lummi Nation member pleaded guilty Thursday to illegal firearms possession and two violations of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

1 day ago

The location of the Vertical Evacuation Tower will be near the Westport Marina. It will be the thir...

Tom Brock

Rising above the risk: Westport breaks ground on Washington’s newest tsunami refuge

The city of Westport broke ground Saturday on what will become Washington state's latest tsunami-safe location: a new vertical evacuation tower.

2 days ago

Dolly Parton...

Associated Press

Dolly Parton’s nephew wants more time to defend himself against restraining order from her estate

Dolly Parton’s nephew wants more time to get a lawyer in place to defend himself against a temporary restraining order.

2 days ago

bellingham crash...

MyNorthwest Staff

Northbound I-5 in Bellingham fully reopens after 3-car crash; injuries reported

Northbound I-5 has fully reopened in Bellingham at Iowa St., milepost 253.

3 days ago

coast guard murder 18-year-old...

MyNorthwest Staff

18-year-old charged with murder in Skyway shooting death of Coast Guard officer

An 18-year-old Covington man is now charged with second-degree murder in the August shooting death of Coast Guard Lt. Connor Overstreet.

3 days ago

10 Puget Sound beaches closed for fecal bacteria