MA Beach Closures Rise To 28 As Downpours Cause Flash Flooding, Stormwater Runoff

The number of Massachusetts beaches closed to swimming rose to 28 on Tuesday, with a period of flooding rain and stormwater runoff potentially set to cause a spike in closures later this week as sunny skies return.

There were 25 beaches closed as of late last week.

Most of the beaches that close across Massachusetts each summer do so because of high bacteria levels caused by storm runoff and other means of fecal contamination. Water quality at public beaches in Massachusetts is required to be monitored by local public health departments.

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When the water quality is unsafe, the beach must be "posted" with a sign indicating that swimming is unsafe and may cause illness.

Massachusetts beaches closed as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday include:

• Ashby Damon Pond
• Bourne Patuisset Pond
• Brewster Cliff Pond at DYS
• Brewster Cliff Pond at Main
• Brewster Flax Pond
• Fairhaven Manhattan Avenue Beach
• Gloucester Good Harbor Creek
• Manchester Magnolia East
• Manchester White Beach
• Nantucket Sesachacha Pond
• Newton Crystal Lake
• Pittsfield Lulu Pond Beach
• Provincetown Kendall Lane
• Quincy Wollaston Beach Channing Street
• Quincy Wollaston Beach Quincy Street
• Quincy Wollaston Beach Rice Road
• Quincy Wollaston Beach Sachem Street
• Rockport Front Beach
• Salem Children's Island Back
• Salem Children's Island Wally
• Salem Ocean Avenue
• Saugus Peckham Pond
• Swansea Cedar Cove Club
• Swansea Sandy Beach
• Swansea Town Beach
• Templeton Beamans Pond Campground
• Templeton Beamans Pond Day Beach
• Winchester Shannon Beach.

The bacteria used as indicator organisms to test the waters at beaches are Enterococci and E. coli. Marine beaches are tested for the presence of Enterococci. Freshwater beaches are tested either for the presence of E. coli or Enterococci. Enteric bacteria are indicator organisms found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and humans, often associated with fecal contamination.

An elevated presence of these organisms indicates the water may not be safe for human or animal consumption or contact, and may cause symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal pain to eye and ear discomfort to flu-like symptoms.

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

Some beach areas may remain open for recreational activities, though any contact with the water is strongly discouraged.

Heavy downpours on Tuesday morning caused flash flooding in Fall River and other areas of the South Coast.

Gradual clearing was expected Tuesday afternoon with sunny skies and low humidity returning for Wednesday and Thursday.

See Latest Forecast (National Weather Service):

Tuesday

Showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Patchy fog before 11 a.m., then patchy fog after 2 p.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 71. North wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night

A chance of showers, mainly before 10 p.m. Patchy fog before 1 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradual clearing toward daybreak, with a low around 61. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Light west wind.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday

Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday

A chance of showers after 7 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers before 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Light and variable wind.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon.

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