60 MA Beaches Closed, 'Unsafe For Swimming' Due To High Bacteria

ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS — A total of 60 beaches in Massachusetts are closed for swimming Thursday, mostly due to high bacteria levels, according to the latest numbers from the state's Department of Public Health.

In the 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 as the summer went on, reaching the previous season-high total of 72 closed beaches on Aug. 21 before soaring to 88 on Aug. 22.

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 Thursday morning.

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

Beverly, MA

Mingo

Obear Park

Woodbury

Boston, MA

Savin Hill

Braintree, MA

Smith Beach

Danvers, MA

Sandy Beach

Dartmouth, MA

Moses Smith Creek

Dover, MA

Grossman Beach

Framingham, MA

Learned Pond Beach

Franklin, MA

Chilson Beach

Gardner, MA

Dunn Pond

Holland, MA

Collette Drive Beach

Hull, MA

Darcy's

Manchester, MA

Magnolia

West Manchester

Nahant, MA

Nahant Beach

Nantucket, MA

Children's

Washing Pond

Natick, MA

Cochituate State Park Beach (also closed due to harmful cyanobacteria bloom)

North Andover, MA

Stevens Pond - Center

Northampton, MA

Musante Beach

Quincy, MA

Germantown Firestation

Revere, MA

Short

Salem, MA

Children's Island - Back

Forest River - Point

Ocean Avenue

Osgood

Steps

Willow Avenue

Southwick, MA

South Pond Beach

Swampscott, MA

Kings

Templeton, MA

Beamans Pond-Campground

Beamans Pond-Day Use

Tisbury, MA

Hilman's Point

Wareham, MA

Indian Mound Beach

West Stockbridge, MA

Card Pond Beach

West Tisbury, MA

Seth's Pond

Westwood, MA

North Beach (Westwood)

Summer Beach

Winchendon, MA

Lake Dennison State Park

Winchester, MA

Shannon Beach at Upper Mystic

Winthrop, MA

Winthrop Beach

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

Barnstable, MA

Wequaquet Lake Town

Wequaquet Lake Yacht Club

Framingham, MA

Waushakum Beach

Harvard, MA

Harvard Town Beach

Oxford, MA

Carbuncle Pond

Springfield, MA

Bass Pond

Wayland, MA

Wayland Town Beach

Westborough, MA

Lake Chauncy Beach

Worcester, MA

Indian Lake Public Beach (Sherburne Ave)

Shore Park

These beaches are closed for a reason not listed:

Concord, MA

Walden Pond - Red Cross

Grafton, MA

Silver Lake Beach

Salem, MA

Camp Naumkeag

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