Thurston County BEACH report
We sampled two beaches weekly in Thurston County during the 2024 monitoring season:
- Burfoot County Park
- Squaxin Park — formerly Priest Point
Burfoot County Park in Thurston County
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.
Two beaches in Thurston County were monitored weekly during the swim season in 2024. Burfoot County Park was sampled by Thurston County Public Health and Social Services. Squaxin Park was sampled by Surfrider Foundation volunteers.
See details on each beach below.
Data summary: Bacteria results compared to standards
The chart below summarizes the bacteria levels at Thurston 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 Thurston County beaches (in enterococcus per 100 mL) for 2024.
| Beach | GM | STV |
|---|---|---|
| Burfoot County Park | 13 | 22 |
| Squaxin Park — formerly Priest Point | 19 | 57 |
Contact information
Contact BEACH: Reach BEACH staff, sign up for our email list, or follow us on social media platforms.