Beach · Jefferson County · WA
Is Broad Spit safe to swim?
Recent heavy rain may have spiked bacteria since the last clear sample.
Updated July 19, 2026 · Washington beach program (EPA BEACON)
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Get an alert the day a bacteria or algae advisory goes up.
What's in the water at Broad Spit right now
As of July 19, 2026, Broad Spit in Jefferson County, Washington carries a swim caution. Blue-green algae are not currently monitored at this water. No fecal-bacteria advisory is posted (state beach program). Rainfall over the past week totaled 1.2 in, which can wash bacteria and nutrients into the water.
Blue-green algae at Broad Spit
Broad Spit is a lake in Jefferson County, Washington. Blue-green algae are not currently monitored at this water.
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms are most common from midsummer into early fall, when the water is warm, calm, and rich in nutrients from runoff. They can produce toxins that make people sick and can be rapidly fatal to dogs, so skip water that looks green, scummy, or like spilled paint, and keep children and pets out of it.
Frequently asked: swimming in Broad Spit
- Is it safe to swim in Broad Spit right now?
- Broad Spit carries a swim caution today. Blue-green algae are not currently monitored at this water. Conditions can change quickly with wind, heat, and rain, so check the posted signs and look at the water before you get in.
- Does Broad Spit have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?
- Blue-green algae are not currently monitored at Broad Spit. Watch for green, blue-green, or paint-like scum and avoid the water if you see it.
- Can dogs swim in Broad Spit?
- No bloom is detected at Broad Spit today, but dogs are much more vulnerable to blue-green algae than people, and blooms can form within hours. Always keep dogs away from water that looks green, scummy, or discolored, and rinse them off after swimming.
- How many Washington lakes and beaches have swim advisories today?
- Today, 18 Washington waters are under a swim advisory and 9 more warrant caution, out of 1348 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.
- How is Broad Spit's water quality measured?
- SwimZone builds this read from EPA CyAN satellite imagery for blue-green algae, official beach and fecal-bacteria advisories where a program monitors Broad Spit, and a recent-rainfall overlay, all refreshed daily. It was last updated July 19, 2026.