Nearly 40 MA Beaches Closed Due To High Bacteria

ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS — A total of 41 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 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, but 41 is a new high by a landslide.

The water testing frequency at beaches in the state varies from beach to beach, but 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 afternoon.

Templeton, MA

Beamans Pond - Campground

Beamans Pond - Day Use

Nahant, MA

Black Rock

Sturbridge, MA

Cedar Lake Recreation Area

Salem, MA

Children's Island - Back

Ocean Avenue

Dennis, MA

Clipper Lane

Charlemont, MA

Cold River Pool

Ashby, MA

Damon Pond Beach

Gardner, MA

Dunn Pond

Ashland, MA

Hopkinton Reservoir-Main Beach

Lynn, MA

Houghton's Pond @ Bathhouse

MiltonKings

Amesbury, MA

Lake Gardner

Worcester, MA

Lake Quinsigamond-Regatta Point Beach

Swansea, MA

Leeside

Pittsfield, MA

Lulu Pond Beach

Boston, MA

Malibu

Tenean

Clarksburg, MA

Mauserts Pond

Lowell, MA

Merrimac River - Bath House

Townsend, MA

Pearl Hill Pond Beach

Salisbury, MA

Salisbury Beach, Main

Swansea, MA

Sandy Beach

Winchester, MA

Shannon Beach @ Upper Mystic

Nantucket, MA

Washington Street

Framingham, MA

Waushakum Beach

Rutland, MA

Whitehall Pond Beach

Quincy, MA

Wollaston @ Channing Street
Wollaston @ Milton Street
Wollaston @ Rice Road
Wollaston @ Sachem Street

New Marlborough, MA

York Lake Beach

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

Nantucket, MA

Miacomet Pond

Orleans, MA

Pilgrim Lake

And these beaches are closed for a reason not listed:

SALEM, MA

Camp Naumkeag

Dartmouth, MA

Jones Town Beach North

Jones Town Beach South

Hidden Bay

Great Barrington, MA

Lake Mansfield

Concord, MA

Walden Pond - Red Cross

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 earlier this month. "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