Beach · Whatcom County · WA
Is South Birch Point safe to swim?
No advisory or algae bloom reported for this water today.
Updated July 19, 2026 · Washington beach program (EPA BEACON)
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What's in the water at South Birch Point right now
As of July 19, 2026, South Birch Point in Whatcom County, Washington is clear to swim. 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 0.1 in, which can wash bacteria and nutrients into the water.
Blue-green algae at South Birch Point
South Birch Point is a lake in Whatcom 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 South Birch Point
- Is it safe to swim in South Birch Point right now?
- South Birch Point is clear to swim 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 South Birch Point have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?
- Blue-green algae are not currently monitored at South Birch Point. Watch for green, blue-green, or paint-like scum and avoid the water if you see it.
- Can dogs swim in South Birch Point?
- No bloom is detected at South Birch Point 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 South Birch Point'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 South Birch Point, and a recent-rainfall overlay, all refreshed daily. It was last updated July 19, 2026.