Gene Coulon Beach closed to swimming

Gene Coulon Beach closed to swimming

Published 7:49 pm Tuesday, May 12, 2026

With the nice and cozy climate comes the micro organism – Gene Coulon Memorial Beach in Renton is closed till additional discover as a consequence of excessive micro organism ranges within the water.

According to the King County web site, May 11 water testing at Gene Coulon Beach — probably the most southern swimming seashore in Lake Washington — reveals that micro organism ranges are excessive at 2/3 of sampled areas, the place they’re over 320 colony forming models (CFU) per 100 milliliters of pattern water (>320 CFU/100 mL). CFU is a rely of the variety of micro organism, per 100 milliliters.

While Sample A reveals 240 CFU/100 ml in a single space, Sample B reveals 860 CFU/100 mL and Sample C reveals 14,000 CFU/100 mL.

Due to those excessive micro organism ranges, the county says that individuals — and their canines — ought to keep out of the water.

The water at greater than two dozen lake seashores which might be widespread swimming spots are recurrently examined for micro organism yearly from mid-May to mid-September. If water checks discover excessive CFU, it signifies that there are excessive ranges of organic waste from folks, pets, or wildlife within the water, which might carry germs that make folks sick.

Madison Park Beach and Seward Park Andrews Bay Beach are additionally at the moment closed as a consequence of excessive micro organism ranges.

What the county does as soon as a seashore is closed

The county first tries to seek out the supply of the excessive micro organism, which suggests discovering the supply of waste stepping into the water. Additional testing could also be utilized together with contacting native sewage utilities about potential sewage leaks and spills.

When the supply of the excessive micro organism ranges are decided, the county will work with seashore managers to maintain poop out of the water, permitting swimmers to finally return.

According to the county web site, seashore managers can be suggested to do the next:

• Remind folks that canines will not be allowed on the swimming seashore, and geese and geese shouldn’t be fed close to the seashore.

• Clean up goose poop from docks to maintain it out of the water on the swimming space.

• Reduce the variety of geese close to the seashore, by utilizing shiny mylar strips (“scare tape”) or specifically skilled canines.

• Renovate docks to permit extra water circulation by the seashore space.

• Improve drainage within the park space close to the seashore, to cut back micro organism washing into the lake close to the seashore.

• Reduce poop stepping into streams close to seashores.

To study extra about King County’s swimming seashore knowledge, go to kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/parks-recreation/king-county-parks/water-recreation/swimming-beach-bacteria-temperature.