The City of Bellevue closed the beach at Newcastle Beach Park Thursday afternoon following tests that show high levels of bacteria in the water. Though the swimming areas will be closed, the park will remain open.

After recommendations made by King County, the city closed the beach as a precaution due to unusually high bacteria levels, likely from bird droppings caught in the currents. While the swimming season is officially over, the higher-than-average temperatures may draw late-season water activity.

King County Water and Land Resources, in cooperation with local jurisdictions, routinely tests and monitors water quality at beaches on Lake Washington. The county will continue to test and monitor the water next week.

Swimming in areas with high bacteria can cause health concerns for some individuals. The Seattle-King County Public Health Department is responsible for determining the public health implications of bacteria monitoring results and under current regulations, local health officers determine whether a water body is polluted or not, on a case-by-case basis. For more information about lake bacteria, visit the County’s website here or contact Pat Harris, Grounds Operations Manager, Parks & Community Services at 425-452-2930or pharris@bellevuewa.gov.