Washington State University (WSU) Snohomish County Extension Beach Watchers sampled six beaches in Snohomish County weekly or bi-weekly during the 2021 season. An additional beach, Kayak Point, was sampled weekly by Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians staff.
- Edmonds Marina Beach Park
- Edmonds Underwater Park
- Howarth Park
- Kayak Point County Park
- Mukilteo Lighthouse Park
- Picnic Point County Park
- Jetty Island
Keeping beaches safe
The Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication & Health (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.
Six beaches in Snohomish County were monitored in 2021 by WSU Snohomish County Extension Beach Watchers. Beaches were monitored weekly, with the exception of Jetty Island, which was sampled four times. An additional beach, Kayak Point, was sampled weekly by Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians staff.
See details on each beach below.
During the 2021 swim season, Edmonds Marina Park was sampled 15 times. This beach had very good water quality, meeting the swimming standards for all periods sampled.
During the 2021 swim season, Edmonds Underwater Park Beach was sampled 15 times. The beach had very good water quality, meeting the swimming standards for all periods sampled.
During the 2021 swim season, Howarth Park beach was sampled 10 times. This beach had two sampling events with elevated results. On July 5 and July 20, results were in the advisory range. However, subsequent sampling showed that bacteria levels were safe. All other sampling events met the swimming standard.
During the 2021 swim season, Jetty Island was sampled four times. This beach had excellent water quality, meeting the swimming standards for all periods sampled.
During the 2021 swim season, Kayak Point County beach was sampled 15 times. This beach had very good water quality and met the swimming standards for all periods sampled.
During the 2021 swim season, Mukilteo Lighthouse Park beach was sampled 17 times. Results from two sampling events were in the advisory range. On July 12, results were elevated, and subsequent sampling resulted in an advisory. On August 9, results were elevated, but subsequent sampling revealed that bacteria levels were back in the safe swimming range, so no action was taken. This beach met the swimming standards for all other periods sampled.
During the 2021 swim season, Picnic Point County Park beach was sampled 17 times. Results from two sampling events were in the advisory range, but subsequent sampling showed that bacteria results were back in the safe swimming range. This beach met the swimming standards for all other periods sampled.
Data summary: Bacteria results compared to standards
The chart below summarizes the bacteria levels at Snohomish 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 Snohomish County beaches (in enterococcus per 100 mL) for 2021.
|
Beach
|
GM
|
STV
|
|
Edmonds Marina Beach Park
|
13
|
29
|
|
Edmonds Underwater Park
|
16
|
37
|
|
Howarth Park
|
31
|
141
|
|
Kayak Point County Park
|
17
|
49
|
|
Mukilteo Lighthouse Park
|
32
|
217
|
|
Picnic Point County Park
|
18
|
71
|
|
Jetty Island
|
10
|
15
|