The city of Bellevue will apply herbicide to control invasive milfoil at four city beaches this week and next. As a precaution, each swimming area will be closed for 24 hours following the herbicide application.

On Thursday, July 16, Clyde Beach (9515 Lake Washington Boulvard Southeast), Meydenbauer beach (419 98th Avenue Northeast) and Newcastle beach (4400 Lake Washington Boulevard Southeast) will be closed to swimming. On Tuesday, July 21, Enatai (3519 108th Avenue Southeast) and Newcastle will be closed.

Though the swimming areas will be closed, the parks will remain open. Signs will be posted at those beaches.

With the unseasonably warm weather this spring, the areas are now experiencing considerable milfoil growth. Milfoil spreads fast into dense mats — collecting sediment, limiting oxygenation and making swimming difficult. The state Department of Ecology offers more information about milfoil and milfoil control.

The Department of Ecology has determined that these herbicide applications do not pose a significant risk to swimmers. For questions about Bellevue’s milfoil treatment, call Rick Bailey at 425-452-6031.