We monitored 10 beaches in King County from Memorial Day to Labor Day in 2022:
Alki Beach Park
Carkeek Park Beach
Dash Point State Park
Golden Gardens
Lincoln Park
Redondo County Park
Richey Viewpoint
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park
Saltwater State Park
Seahurst Park
Golden Gardens beach in King County
Keeping beaches safe
The Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication & Health, or BEACH, Program ensures that marine water is safe to swim and play in and informs the public if water doesn't meet swimming standards. Sampling takes place from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During this time, you can check out current water quality conditions on the swimming map.
Public Health — Seattle & King County sampled 10 beaches weekly or biweekly in King County during the 2023 season.
See details on each beach below.
Alki Beach Park was sampled 12 times during the 2023 swim season. This beach had good water quality with one sampling event having elevated bacteria results during the week of June 5. The subsequent sample showed bacteria levels had dropped into the safe swimming range.
Carkeek Park was sampled 11 times during the 2023 swim season. This beach had excellent water quality and met swimming standards during all periods sampled.
Dash Point State Park beach was sampled 15 times during the 2023 swim season. This beach had good water quality with one sampling event having elevated bacteria results during the week of June 13. The subsequent sample showed bacteria levels had dropped into the safe swimming range.
Golden Gardens beach was sampled 10 times during the 2023 swim season. This beach had very good water quality and met swimming standards during all periods sampled.
Lincoln Park beach was sampled 10 times during the 2023 swim season. This beach had good water quality with one sampling event having elevated bacteria results during the week of June 20 which resulted in an advisory notice being posted for this beach.
Redondo County Park beach was sampled 15 times during the 2023 swim season. This beach had very good water quality and met swimming standards during all periods sampled.
Richey Viewpoint beach was sampled 12 times during the 2023 swim season. This beach had good water quality with one sampling event having elevated bacteria results during the week of May 22. The subsequent sample showed bacteria levels had dropped into the safe swimming range.
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park was sampled 11 times during the 2023 swim season. This beach had excellent water quality, meeting swim standards during all periods sampled.
Saltwater State Park beach was sampled 15 times during the 2023 swim season. This beach had good water quality with one sampling event having elevated bacteria results during the week of May 22. The subsequent sample showed bacteria levels had dropped into the safe swimming range.
Seahurst Park Beach was sampled 11 times during the 2023 swim season. This beach had very good water quality, meeting swim standards during all periods sampled.
Data summary: Bacteria results compared to standards
The chart below summarizes the bacteria levels at King County beaches in relation to the EPA swimming standard or saltwater swimming criteria. Beaches are considered unsafe for swimming when the geometric mean of enterococcus/100 mL of water is greater than or equal to 30 and the statistical threshold value of enterococcus/100 mL is greater than or equal to 110. We issue a public swimming advisory when enterococcus levels exceed 104 per 100 mL of water.
Table: Calculated geometric mean and statistical threshold value at King County beaches (in enterococcus per 100 mL) for 2023.
Beach
GM
STV
Alki Beach Park
23
111
Carkeek Park
14
30
Dash Point State Park
13
39
Golden Gardens
14
35
Lincoln Park
22
74
Redondo County Park
15
36
Richey Viewpoint
27
91
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park
13
22
Saltwater State Park
15
46
Seahurst Park
18
42
Contact information
Contact BEACH: Reach BEACH staff, sign up for the listserv, or follow us on social-media platforms.
