The Seattle Times: Local news: Beach Rankings

The Seattle Times analyzed available state, county and city test results for the years 2001 through 2004 and looked for beaches that showed signs of chronic bacterial pollution. The rankings are based on whether, over the four years, a beach met the following criteria:

• Repeatedly had bacteria levels over the E.P.A.’s limits.
• Was repeatedly closed to the public.

For current information about Skagit County's beach closures or advisories, visit www.skagitcounty.net/health Historical water quality/condition Good. Moderate pollution levels. Not enough to trigger a closure, but higher than average. Repeated pollution at levels that would trigger beach closures or advisories.
Name	Rating
Bay View State Park
Clear Lake
Dewey Beach
Grandy Lake
Guemes Island, North Beach
Heart Lake
Lake Challenge
Lake McMurray
Little Cranberry Lake
March Point
Samish Island Recreation Area
Seafarers Memorial Park
Sixteen Lake
Sixteen Lake, Camp Anderson
Whistle Lake

+ Resources for current quality or beaches closures

Saltwater beaches in any Washington county:
www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/WaterRec/beach/default.htm
Island County:
www.islandcounty.net/health/
King County:
dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/waterres/swimbeach/
Kitsap County:
www.kitsapcountyhealth.com/environmenta_health/water_quality/lakes_swimming.htm
Pierce County:
www.tpchd.org/
Skagit County:
www.skagitcounty.net/health
Snohomish County:
www.snohd.org/
Thurston County:
www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehsb/swimming-safety.html
Bellingham:
www.cob.org and www.whatcomcounty.us/parks/

+ Detailed color level definition

Freshwater

Exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's guidelines for a seasonal limit for e. coli (a geometric mean of 126 colony-forming-units/100 ml.) two of the last four years.
Exceeded EPA limit for a single sample (235 cfu/ 100 ml.) at least 20 percent of the time three of the last four years (or 75 percent of total number of years).
Closed due to high bacterial levels, sewage spills or potentially toxic algae three of the last four years (or 75 percent of total number of years).

Annual geometric mean exceeded 60 cfu/100 ml. at least twice in the last four years for e. coli
Exceeded single-sample limit at least 20 percent of the time at least twice in last four years (or 50 percent of the time).
Closed due to high bacterial levels, sewage spills or potentially toxic algae two of the last four years.

Annual geometric mean has exceeded 60 for e-coli no more than one of the last four years.
Single-sample limits were not exceeded by more than 20 percent in any given year.
Closures posted no more than one in the last four years.

Saltwater

Exceeded EPA annual limit for enterococci (a geometric mean of 35 colony-forming-units/100 ml.) two of the last four years.
Exceeded EPA single-sample limit of 104 cfu/100ml. at least 20 percent of the time three of the last four years (or 75 percent of total number of years).
Closed due to high bacterial levels, sewage spills or potentially toxic algae three of the last four years (or 75 percent of total number of years).

Annual geometric mean exceeded 25 cfu/100 ml. at least twice in the last four years for enterococci.
Exceeded single-sample limit at least 20 percent of the time at least twice in last four years (or 50 percent of the time).
Closed due to high bacterial levels, sewage spills or potentially toxic algae two of the last four years.

Annual geometric mean has exceeded 25 for enterococci no more than one of the last four years.
Single-sample limits were not exceeded by more than 20 percent in any given year.
Closures posted no more than one in the last four years.

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