Summer is finally here, and arriving in full force with high temperatures expected this weekend. With hot weather, it is tempting to take a dip in our area’s lakes and rivers to cool off, but before you do, make sure there is a lifeguard on duty nearby.

Already this year we’ve seen two drowning tragedies that have devastated our community. A young man drowned while swimming with friends along the upper reaches of the south fork Snoqualmie River near North Bend, and a young woman nearly drowned along the Green River upstream of Auburn. In 2016, 22 people in King County died in preventable drownings, a concerning increase from 17 preventable drowning deaths in 2015. Drownings can be prevented by taking necessary water safety precautions such as wearing a U.S Coast Guard approved life jacket and only swimming in lifeguarded areas.

It’s the first weekend of summer and many swim beaches in King County are starting to be guarded this weekend. Check the list below for the hours lifeguards are on duty at your local swim beach.

Lifeguarded beaches in King County

Lifeguarded beaches in South King County:

• Lake Meridian Park Swimming Area, Kent, lifeguards on duty June 17th-September 4th, daily from 12pm to 7pm.
• Maple Valley Lake Wilderness Park Swimming Area, Maple Valley, lifeguards on duty June 24^th-August 27^th, daily from 12pm-7pm.
• Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, Renton, lifeguards on duty mid-May–the first week of September, daily from 12pm-8pm.
• Kennydale Beach Park, Renton, lifeguards on duty mid-May–the first week of September, daily from 12pm-8pm.

Lifeguarded beaches in East King County:

• Chesterfield Beach, Bellevue, lifeguards on duty July 1^st-August 20^th, from 2pm-5pm.
• Chism Beach Park, Bellevue, lifeguards on duty July 1^st-August 20^th, from 12pm-7pm.
• Clyde Beach, Bellevue, lifeguards on duty June 24^th-September 4^th, from 12pm-7pm.
• Enatai Beach, Bellevue, lifeguards on duty June 24^th-September 4^th, from 12pm-7pm.
• Newcastle Beach, Bellevue, lifeguards on duty June 24^th-September 4^th, from 12pm-7pm.
• Houghton Beach Park, Kirkland, lifeguards on duty July 1^st-September 4^th, Monday-Sunday from 12pm-6pm.
• Waverly Beach, Kirkland, lifeguards on duty July 1^st-September 4^th, Monday-Sunday from 12pm-6pm.
• Juanita Beach, Kirkland, lifeguards on duty July 1^st-September 4^th, Monday-Sunday from 12pm-6pm.
• Medina Beach Park, Kirkland, lifeguards on duty June 27^th-August 19^th, daily from 11:30am-7pm.
• Mercer Island Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island, lifeguards on duty June 26^th-September 4^th, daily from 12pm-6pm.
• Idylwood Beach Park, Redmond, lifeguards on duty June 23^rd-September 4^th, daily from 11am-6pm.
• Pine Lake, Sammamish, lifeguards on duty June 18th-September 4^th, Monday-Sunday 12pm-7pm.

Lifeguarded beaches in Seattle:

• East Green Lake Beach, lifeguards on duty May 27th – August 27^th, Monday-Friday from 12pm – 7pm Saturday-Sunday from 11am – 7pm.
• Magnuson Beach, lifeguards on duty June 24th – August 27^th, Monday- Friday from 12pm -7pm Saturday- Sunday from 11am-7pm.
• Matthews Beach, lifeguards on duty June 24th – September 4^th, Monday- Friday from 12pm -7pm, Saturday- Sunday from 11am-7pm.
• West Green Lake Beach, lifeguards on duty June 24th – September 4^th, Monday- Friday from 12pm -7pm, Saturday- Sunday from 11am-7pm.
• Madison Park Beach, lifeguards on duty June 24th – September 4^th, Monday- Friday from 12pm -7pm, Saturday- Sunday from 11am-7pm.
• Madrona Park Beach, lifeguards on duty May 27th – Aug 27^th, Monday-Friday from 12pm – 7pm Saturday-Sunday from 11am – 7pm.
• Mount Baker Park Beach, lifeguards on duty June 24th – September 4^th, Monday- Friday from 12pm -7pm, Saturday- Sunday from 11am-7pm.
• Pritchard Island Beach, lifeguards on duty June 24th – August 27^th, Monday- Friday from 12pm -7pm, Saturday- Sunday from 11am-7pm.
• Seward Park Beach, lifeguards on duty June 24th – September 7^th, Monday- Friday from 12pm -7pm, Saturday- Sunday from 11am-7pm.

Lifeguard times may change, check with your local beach before heading out for the day.

Remember, it is always best to swim in lifeguarded areas, and if you are swimming in unguarded areas, wear a U.S Coast Guard approved lifejacket!

Originally posted on June 22, 2017