37 MA Beaches Closed Due To High Bacteria

ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS — A total of 37 beaches in Massachusetts are closed for swimming Friday, mostly due to high bacteria levels, according to the latest numbers from the state's Department of Public Health.

In the weeks since the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation opened 81 freshwater and saltwater beaches for the season, the number of beaches closed has gone up and down. For the most part, no more than around 20 beaches have been closed at a time, but the number soared in late June and has so far peaked at 42 beaches closed on one day.

The water testing frequency at beaches in the state varies from beach to beach. Still, tests occur anywhere from daily to monthly, officials said, adding that testing frequency depends on how likely the beach is to have water quality issues.

Beaches found to have high bacteria levels are reopened for swimming after a test result shows bacteria levels below DPH standards.

Here are the beaches closed for swimming due to unsafe bacteria levels as of Friday morning.

Ashby, MA

Damon Pond Beach

Ashland, MA

Ashland Reservoir - Main Beach

Hopkinton Reservoir - Main Beach

Ayer, MA

Ayer Town Beach

Barnstable, MA

Keyes Beach (Sea Street)

Templeton, MA

Beamans Pond - Campground

Beamans Pond - Day Use

Nahant, MA

Black Rock

Salem, MA

Children's Island - Back

Ocean Avenue

Charlemont, MA

Cold River Pool

Chatham, MA

Bucks Creek

Chelmsford, MA

Freeman Lake

Clarksburg, MA

Mauserts Pond

Danvers, MA

Sandy Beach

Gardner, MA

Dunn Pond

Lunenburg, MA

Lunenburg Town Beach

Lynn, MA

Kings

Marblehead, MA

Grace Oliver

Worcester, MA

Lake Quinsigamond-Regatta Point Beach

Yarmouth, MA

Vernon Street

Boston, MA

Tenean

Dennis, MA

Clipper Lane

West Tisbury, MA

Long Cove (Fresh)

Winchester, MA

Shannon Beach @ Upper Mystic

Nantucket, MA

Washing Pond

Provincetown, MA

637 Commercial Street

West Stockbridge, MA

Card Pond Beach

West Tisbury, MA

Long Cove (Fresh)

Quincy, MA

Broady (Baker)

The following beaches are closed for swimming due to harmful cyanobacteria bloom:

Ashland, MA

Hopkinton Reservoir-Upper Beach

Mashpee, MA

John's Pond (Public)

And these beaches are closed for a reason not listed:

Truro, MA

Long Nook

Salem, MA

Camp Naumkeag

Great Barrington, MA

Lake Mansfield

Concord, MA

Walden Pond - Red Cross

Swampscott, MA

Kings

See Also: Summer Heat Brings Plenty Of Fun, Danger Warnings To MA

"In general, when beaches are closed, elevated bacteria is a result of a preceding rainstorm is responsible for the closure," a representative for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health told Patch in June. "This is because the rain washes the bacteria or excessive nutrients on land into the water and the nutrients allow small populations of bacteria to rapidly reproduce to unsafe levels."

According to the DPH, Swimming in unsafe waters can cause illnesses with the following symptoms:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
• Respiratory symptoms like sore throat, cough, runny nose, and sneezing
• Dermatological symptoms like skin rash and itching
• Eye and ear symptoms like irritation, earache, and itching
• Flu-like symptoms like fever and chills

Most of these symptoms are minor, but a more serious illness may occasionally occur, officials said. Children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for illness.

Also on Patch:

• MA Tick Warning: Pestilent Bloodsuckers A Threat After Warm Winter, State Says
• These Venomous Snakes May Join You On Walks, Jogs And Hikes Around MA