King County annual BEACH report

We monitored 10 beaches in King County from Memorial Day to Labor Day in 2023:

  • 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.


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