51 MA Beaches Closed Due To High Bacteria

ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS — A season-record total of 51 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 nearly two months 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 at the beginning, no more than around 20 beaches were closed at a time due to high bacteria. But the number soared in late June into July, peaking at 46 until a new season record of 51 was set Friday.

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 afternoon/

Amherst, MA

Puffers Pond (AKA Factory Hollow Pond)

Stanley Street swimming hole at Cushman Bridge

Ashby, MA

Damon Pond Beach

Ashland, MA

Ashland Reservoir-Main Beach

Barnstable, MA

Eugenia Fortes

Beverly, MA

Independence Park

Boston, MA

Constitution

Malibu

Savin Hill

Tenean

Braintree, MA

Smith Beach

Chatham, MA

Bucks Creek

Danvers, MA

Sandy Beach

Framingham, MA

Waushakum Beach (also closed due to harmful cyanobacteria bloom)

Gardner, MA

Dunn Pond

Greenfield, MA

Greenfield Municipal Bathing Beach

Holland, MA

Collette Drive Beach

Kingston, MA

Gray's

Lynn, MA

Kings

Lynn Shore Beach

Marblehead, MA

Grace Oliver

Nantucket, MA

Dionis

Washing Pond

North Andover, MA

Stevens Pond - Center

Quincy, MA

Broady (Baker)

Rutland, MA

Whitehall Pond Beach

Salem, MA

Children's Island - Back

Shutesbury, MA

Lake Wyola

Swansea, MA

Leeside

Taunton, MA

Watsons Pond

Templeton, MA

Beamans Pond-Campground

Beamans Pond-Day Use

Townsend, MA

Pearl Hill Pond Beach

West Stockbridge, MA

Card Pond Beach

West Tisbury, MA

Long Cove (Fresh)

Seth's Pond

Westminster, MA

Crow Hill Pond Beach

Winthrop, MA

Pico

Winthrop Beach

Yerrill

Worcester, MA

Lake Quinsigamond-Regatta Point Beach

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

Ashland, MA

Hopkinton Reservoir-Upper Beach

Nantucket, MA

Sesachacha Pond

Oxford, MA

Carbuncle Pond

And these beaches are closed for a reason not listed:

Concord, MA

Walden Pond-Red Cross

Dartmouth, MA

Hidden Bay

Jones Town Beach North

Jones Town Beach South

Salem, MA

Camp Naumkeag

Swampscott, MA

Kings

Truro, MA

Longnook

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