LakeSafe
Confluence 2026
One evening at Lake Sammamish brought together 19+ partner organizations, expert voices, elected officials, families, and youth volunteers – all committed to one shared goal: preventing drowning before peak season starts.
One evening. Measurable, lasting impact.
Confluence 2026 generated outcomes that matter – from dollars raised for prevention infrastructure to thousands of residents reached with life-saving awareness.
Community members reached through the event, partner outreach, and LakeSafe’s 2026 prevention campaign – before a single family reaches the water this summer.
Directed toward safety signage, life jacket access, and community education resources at Lake Sammamish State Park.
Organizations stated one measurable Summer 2026 action – publicly. LakeSafe publishes, tracks, and follows up every one.
The combined networks of 19+ partner organizations reach over 35,000 families across King County – amplifying water safety awareness before summer begins.
Through NDPA, Seattle Children’s, and Influence the Choice, Confluence 2026’s model is being shared as a replicable framework for water safety across the country.
Young people ran stations, engaged families, and performed “Before the Water.” Prevention is most powerful when the next generation leads it.
Community reach figures reflect event attendance, partner network amplification, and LakeSafe’s 2026 digital outreach. Funding reflects sponsor and partner contributions committed at or ahead of Confluence 2026.
Confluence 2026 delivered on every count.
On May 15 – officially Washington Water Safety Day – Lake Sammamish State Park became the setting for LakeSafe’s most significant convening to date. The evening closed with three official proclamations from the City of Issaquah, the City of Sammamish, and King County, all declaring May 18–24, 2026 Lake Safety Awareness Week.
Opening Remarks & Welcome
Mudra opened with a statement on community and prevention. Civic leaders were recognized. The Sammamish Chamber shared remarks. Presenting sponsors were acknowledged.
Three Fireside Conversations
Gurman Kaur & Tony Gomez on public health. Deputy Chief Pat Walker, Battalion Chief Ben Imboden (Eastside Fire & Rescue) & David Savage (U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary D13) on marine safety. Three national voices joined virtually.
Four Safety Stations All Evening
Life jacket fit checks, hazard awareness, cold water and substance safety, and rescue basics – staffed by local experts for every family who walked through.
Action Commitment Round
15+ organizations stated one Summer 2026 action – publicly. Washington State Parks, YMCA, King County Public Health, Sammamish Rotary, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and more stepped up.
“Before the Water” – Youth Poem
25+ LakeSafe youth volunteers performed an original spoken piece. “Safety begins before the water. Every Lake. Every Life.” The room went still.
Three Official Proclamations
City of Issaquah (Kelly Jiang, on behalf of Mayor Mark Mullet), City of Sammamish (Deputy Mayor Debbie Treen, re-presented at Confluence at LakeSafe’s request), and King County – all proclaimed May 18–24 as Lake Safety Awareness Week.
Washington Water Safety Day
May 15 was officially Washington Water Safety Day, leading into National Safe Boating Week on May 16. Confluence was intentionally anchored to this statewide and national momentum.
Walk to the Lake
Stations stayed live. Families walked to the water. Partners connected. There was no agenda – just community showing up for community, exactly as intended.
In their own words.
“No drownings is possible and absolutely the target. What she’s talking about is prevention – and the best way to prevent drowning is prevention. Once somebody gets in the water, survival rates are not great.”
“Safety is cool. No matter your skill – the water is cold. Be prepared and enjoy the amazing outdoors we have here.”
“Wear the life jacket. Wear the helmet. Because we want you coming home.”
“I hope someday our emergency responders will not have to make a run to the lake to save somebody. We all had other things to do on Friday night – and clearly you’ve been inspired to step up for this community.”
“In 2008–2011 in King County, we went three years without a single child drowning. We know what’s possible.”
“This kind of action doesn’t end in this room – it continues by us keeping the conversation going at our organizations.”
“What started from tragedy has turned into meaningful action – that is helping protect families and save lives throughout our region.”
“Our job is to pull down that financial barrier. We offer free swim lessons to any child that needs it. Even if you are an adult and you have not learned how to swim – please reach out to the Y. We can help you.”
“This is probably all of your park as much as it is our park. It is important for us to provide education and the safest recreational experience we can.”
“Remain calm and call 911 right away. Do not add to the incident. Give us landmarks – a buoy, a dock, a sign. That information is the difference between a search and a rescue.”
“Swimming is a life skill. We should all learn how to swim – whether we are children or adults. As I review the tragic cases of preventable drownings, I always think about my family.”
When we show up for the lake,
we show up for each other.
Every year, our community gathers at Lake Sammamish to celebrate summer. And every year, families lose someone they love to the water.
These aren’t strangers.
They are our neighbors. Our children. Our friends.
On May 15, this community proved that prevention is possible – that we don’t wait for tragedy to act.
19+ organizations. Expert voices. Elected leaders. Families. Youth. All at the lake, on the same page.
The voices that made May 15 unforgettable.
Experts, elected officials, community leaders – all at the lake for one shared purpose.
Elected officials & civic leaders who honored us with their presence
Expert voices who led the conversations
King County Public Health
Chamber remarks & community partnership
Sammamish Rotary
Three national voices joined remotely – no distance too great
15+ Organizations Taking Action This Summer.
Every commitment was stated publicly and will be compiled and published by LakeSafe.
Washington State Parks
Seattle Children’s
YMCA of Greater Seattle
Issaquah Police Department
Washington State Legislature
Public Health / King County
Sammamish Rotary
Kiwanis Club of Greater Issaquah
Eastside Fire & Rescue
Sammamish Chamber of CommerceFriday, May 15
4:30 to 7:00 PM
From the first family arriving at the safety stations to youth voices closing the evening – every moment was intentional, community-centered, and alive.
Life jacket fit checks, hazard awareness, cold water safety, and rescue basics – staffed from the first moment of arrival.
Mudra opened with a statement on community and prevention. Civic leaders were recognized. Julie Honn shared chamber remarks. Presenting sponsors were acknowledged.
Gurman Kaur & Tony Gomez on public health. Deputy Chief Pat Walker, Battalion Chief Ben Imboden & David Savage on marine safety. Then: virtual messages from Alissa Magrum (NDPA), Dr. Linda Quan (Seattle Children’s), and Marnie Maraldo (ITC).
15+ organizations stated their Summer 2026 commitments publicly. 25+ youth volunteers then performed “Before the Water” – a spoken piece that closed the program on a note of shared purpose.
Stations stayed live. Families walked to the water. Partners connected. No agenda – just community, at the lake, together.
19+ organizations.
One shared mission.
The work continues
all summer.
Confluence was the starting point. LakeSafe will track every commitment, follow up with every partner, and keep showing up – at the lake and in the community – all summer long.
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Commitment follow-ups, upcoming events, and water safety resources.
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