Swimming Returns To Bellevue's Newcastle Beach

BELLEVUE, WA — Just in time for a scorcher of a weekend, the swimming area of Newcastle Beach Park has reopened for visitors. The beach closed to swimmers in early July, due to high levels of bacteria in the water. The latest tests found the level of bacteria has receded to low risk-levels.

The following park beaches are now open, and staffed with life guards, seven days a week:

• Newcastle Beach and Meydenbauer Bay parks have lifeguards noon-7 p.m., seven days a week, through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
• Chism Beach and Clyde Beach parks have lifeguards noon-7 p.m., seven days a week through Aug. 22.
• Chesterfield Beach Park has lifeguards 2-5 p.m., seven days a week through Aug. 22.

Only one Bellevue park remains closed to swimmers due to bacteria levels: Enatai Beach.

Public health workers routinely test for bacteria and cyanotoxin at all 17 beaches on the shores of Lake Washington. By Sunday, temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-90s in Bellevue, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an excessive heat watch.