New England Travel
Before hitting the beach this weekend, check out this list of closed waterfronts.
Massachusetts heads into yet another heatwave this weekend. If you want to cool down at the beach, make sure you visit a safe and open one. These 49 beaches across Massachusetts are closed as of Thursday, Aug. 1 due to bacteria concerns.
The state’s Department of Public Health says bacteria levels tend to rise right after periods of heavy rainfall. Dirty runoff from the streets gathers excrement and other harmful bacteria in the sewers, which in turn can run into nearby bodies of water.
In Worcester, authorities closed Indian Lake pond due to a very large cyanobacteria presence in the water. The Department of Inspectional Services say they normally add a bit of polyaluminum chloride to the water via a dosing station at the mouth of the lake. Usually, this small amount of chemicals reduces the growth of toxic bacteria in the water. However, recent “low flow” of water into the lake reduced the effectiveness of the chemicals. If you or your pet came into contact with the contaminated water, you should immediately wash off in freshwater, authorities said. If your pet ingested the water, take them to the vet immediately.
Swimming in unsafe water can lead to a bevy of health problems. The most frequent and notable effect are gastrointestinal symptoms, like nausea and diarrhea. When ingested, bacteria can also cause flu-like symptoms, skin rashes, and eye-nose-throat problems.
It is unclear when the beaches will reopen. Water testing results take 24 hours, the DPH says, so results typically come out the next day. For now, the department warns beachgoers to be vigilant and check their interactive beach water quality dashboard.
List of beaches closed as of Thursday, Aug. 1
Beaches with an * indicate beaches that were closed for over a week
Amherst
- Puffers Pond*
- Stanley St. swimming hole*
Ashby
Barnstable
- Kennedy Memorial/Veterans Beach
Beverly
Boston
- Malibu*
- Savin Hill
- Tenean*
Chatham
Concord
Danvers
Dartmouth
Framingham
Freetown
Grafton
Great Barrington
Greenfield
- Greenfield Municipal Bathing Beach*
Harwich
Holland
Lynn
Marblehead
Nahant
Nantucket
- Sesachacha Pond*
- Washing Pond*
Natick
- Cochituate State Park Beach
North Andover
Oxford
Rutland
Salem
- Camp Naumkeag*
- Children’s Island*
- Ocean Avenue
- Osgood
Sherborn
Shutesbury
Swampscott
Swansea
Taunton
Templeton
Townsend
Truro
West Stockbridge
West Tisbury
- Long Cove*
- Seth’s Pond*
Westminster
Winchendon
Worcester
- Lake Quinsigamond-Regatta Point Beach*
- Indian Lake
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