Hi! My name is Talia West. I am senior at Bishop Blanchet and I am the volunteer Lake Washington Water Quality Specialist for Yarrow Point.
Throughout the summer, I will test E.coli levels at Road End Beach Park weekly and post them on the Town website. When E. coli bacteria is high, it can cause problems for swimmers, such as ear, skin, eye, and respiratory infections, as well as gastrointestinal illness. It could also affect animals and pets swimming in the lake. High E. Coli bacteria presence can also indicate nutrient pollution, fecal contamination, water quality problems, and poor aquatic ecosystem health.
After a meeting with Dr. Daniel Nidzgorski, a King County Ecologist, we learned that the most common way E. coli bacteria make their way into the water in King County is from animal waste, specifically water fowl like ducks and geese. It is common for storms or heavy rains to wash animal waste into our lakes, especially with the stereotypical rainfall in the Seattle-Metro area.
For current water quality reports from King County, please visit this link. https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/parks-recreation/king-county-parks/water-recreation/swimming-beach-bacteria-temperature
July 2, 2024 Analysis:
In our first round of testing July 2nd, I found that there is currently low bacteria in the lake and it is safe to swim. However, it is important to stay informed. If you are worried about bacteria, refrain from swallowing the lake water and shower after going into the lake. Thank you!
July 8, 2024 Analysis:
I hope everyone's 4th of July weekend was safe and enjoyable! After tests run yesterday, July 7, 2024, they indicated 800 CFUs (colonies forming units) of E. coli bacteria per 100 mL of water. This indicates high levels of bacteria. This is a rise from last week's 100 CFUs (which is a normal level). However, this is to be expected after the July 4th weekend and the incredible weather we had. With many more people in the lake, increased human activity nearby, and the extreme heat, we can expect a higher level of E. coli bacteria. Stay informed as I continue to test throughout the week and anticipate the water levels return to normal ranges. Stay safe!
July 14, 2024 Analysis
This week, the levels of E. coli are still high. We have confirmed these high levels of E. coli with 2 different tests, and there are currently about 800 CFUs per 100mL. Luckily, these levels have dropped throughout the weekend, but they are still quite high. This gives us hope that the E. coli levels will return within the normal range in the upcoming weeks. Water recreation is not recommended at this time, and we are in the process of closing the beach park for public safety. Please stay informed on this webpage as the water returns to safe levels.
July 23, 2024 Analysis
Unfortunately, the water quality is still very bad because of feces from humans, pets, or wildlife. We do not recommend swimming because it can cause sickness. The current quality of water stands at 1000 CFUs per 100mL of water, which is very high. We hope that with fewer people swimming after a notice has been posted, the quality of water and levels of E. coli will lessen and allow the lake to be back within the swimming range.
July 28, 2024 Analysis
The long-awaited CFU E. coli count has finally dropped to 300 CFUs per 100mL! While this is still on the higher end of the "normal" range, and safety precautions should still be taken, we are in a much safer zone than we have been for the past few weeks. This also gives us good hope that the numbers will continue to fall. The beach is reopened due to the E. coli levels reaching regular levels, and I will continue to test to see how the bacteria trends in the next few weeks. I highly recommend refraining from swallowing lake water to avoid sickness.