skip to main content

Find comprehensive services, data and information related to lakes in King County, Washington.

To offer a suggestion or report an error on the King County lakes website, please contact Fred Bentler, webmaster.

King County, Washington lakes

Archived news and features
Lake services and resources

» Return to the lake services and information page.

June 11, 2010
Cold waters and warm weather make for increased drowning risk
Sixteen adult drowning deaths in 2009; no child deaths in two years

June 10, 2010
Clean-water utility earns national environmental awards

May 14, 2010
Water quality returns to safe levels in Meydenbauer Slough following overflow

May 12, 2010
Rags, debris contribute to pump station overflow in Bellevue

April 12, 2010
External article, Seattle P-I
Washington state moves to ban copper in brake pads

April 8, 2010
Infrastructure projects support regional environmental, economic goals
Clean-water investments a priority in 2010

Jan. 12, 2010
Fast action stops Kirkland Pump Station overflow

Feb. 25, 2010
March public meetings focus on water quality
Residents welcomed to review plans, provide input on projects to control storm-related sewer overflows

Feb. 24, 2010
Public input encouraged as King County updates stormwater management plan
Online survey, videos part of involvement process; Comments due by March 12

Oct. 21, 2009
Hydrilla considered eradicated in two King County lakes after lengthy battle

Aug. 26, 2009
External article, KOMO News
Seattle, King Co. to reduce wastewater overflows

Apr. 30, 2009
External report, KING 5 News
New buoys track health of Seattle-area lakes video

Apr. 18, 2009
External report, KING5 News
Tugboat sinks, spills diesel in Lake Washington

Mar. 16, 2009
Council acts to reduce levels of harmful phosphorus in County lakes and streams
Patterson initiative limits use of fertilizers that choke oxygen out of waterways

Aug. 25, 2008
Heavy rains result in small overflow in University Slough

July 9, 2008
External article, Seattle P-I
King County fined for sewage spill

Chinook Juvenile
Help salmon & trout:
Live on a lake, river, or creek? Help keep it hospitable for salmon & trout.

50 Ways to Love your Lake
Things you can do to help your lake be healthier.

Small Lakes Recreation Guide
Look up options for swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking, and other activities at King County lakes. Includes maps displaying depth contours

Living with Lakes
Tips for home landscaping and gardening.

Go to the Aquatic Weeds pageAquatic Weed Identification

King County Watersheds Map Access our information geographically, by watershed.

April 23, 2008
External article, Sammamish Review
Development biggest threat to Beaver Lake

Lakeside Living Landscape Design

Nov. 2007
Cyanobacteria Bloom in Lake Washington

Nov. 21, 2007
Mild weather leads to late-season algae blooms in lakes across King County

Nov. 9, 2007
Absence of hydrilla in two King County lakes could signal victory in battle to eradicate invasive weed

Environmental Indicators for Lakes in King County, WA

101 reasons to pick up pet waste (external)

Sept. 14, 2007
External link, Seattle P-I
Tar bubbling up at Gas Works

Aug. 29, 2007
External link, Seattle P-I
Sewage spilled into Portage Bay is traced to UW

Avoid "weed and feed"

Live on a lake, river, or creek? Help keep it hospitable for salmon & trout.

May 21, 2007
Update of shoreline-management rules not expected to bring significant changes

Jan. 16, 2007
Shoreline management review launched in King County

Oct 27, 2006
County' hydrilla eradication project seeing good results

June 29, 2006
Lakes’ water quality looks good for Fourth of July fun

50 Ways to Love your Lake
Things you can do to help your lake be healthier.

Small Lakes Recreation Guide
Look up options for swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking, and other activities at King County lakes. Includes maps displaying depth contours

Living with Lakes
Tips for home landscaping and gardening.

Aquatic Weed Identification

Access our information geographically, by watershed.

Oct. 25, 2005
Celebrate new overflow controls for Lake Washington

July 24, 2005
External Link, Seattle Times
How clean is your beach?

June 8, 2005
Stimson Marina receives King County EnviroStars Award
King County Executive Ron Sims, Mayor Nickels present award

April 8, 2005
King County to clean up Lake Hicks algae with alum

March 18, 2005
King County promises to protect water quality while building Brightwater Treatment Plant

March 14, 2005
External link, Seattle Times
Dry spell could mean trouble for lake

» Critical Areas Package - CAO Resources

Performance Measures Report.
Measuring for Results - Natural Resources and Parks Second Annual Performance Measures report.(ACROBAT PDF file (Acrobat format)

June 23, 2004
The Seattle Times Practical Gardener
Gardening wisely on the water's edge

Oct. 14, 2003
White Center lake getting a boost from Cascade Middle School students, King County

April 9, 2003
(external link, Seattle Post Intelligencer)
Toxic metals in Lake Washington peak during rush hour

June 21, 2001
Don't get sick from lake water
Know how to reduce the risk of recreational water illnesses.