Swimming areas at Meydenbauer and Clyde beach parks will be closed for 24 hours on Monday, July 15, as a precaution while the city, in conjunction with private property owners, applies herbicide to control invasive milfoil blooms. The swimming area at Newcastle Beach Park will be closed Wednesday, July 17, for 24 hours, beginning at 7 a.m., while adjacent property owners apply herbicide for milfoil.

Despite swimming closures, the parks will remain open throughout.

According to the state Department of Ecology, milfoil is considered to be the most problematic plant in Washington. Milfoil can drastically alter a water body’s ecology, robbing it of oxygen by preventing the wind from mixing the oxygenated surface waters to deeper water. Dense vegetation can also increase the sedimentation rate by trapping sediments.  More information about milfoil can be found on the Department of Ecology website.

Signs will be posted on-site regarding the swimming area closures.