20 Massachusetts Beaches Closed This Weekend Over Bacteria Concerns

Popular Beaches in Massachusetts Closed Due to Bacteria

After a week filled with heat and humidity in Massachusetts, many residents are eager to spend a day cooling off at the beach this weekend. However, those planning a beach trip should be aware of the 25 beaches currently closed due to unsafe water conditions. These closures are a result of high levels of bacteria that can pose health risks to swimmers.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) warns that swimming in these areas could lead to various illnesses, including nausea, vomiting, sore throat, fever, rashes, and infections. The MDPH has issued these closures to protect public health and ensure that only safe water is used for recreational activities.

List of Closed Beaches in Massachusetts

As of Friday, July 18, the following beaches across Massachusetts have been closed:

• Ashby: Damon Pond Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Ashland: Ashland Reservoir Main Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Hopkinton: Hopkinton Reservoir Upper Beach (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Barnstable: Keyes Beach at Sea Street (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Beverly: Brackenbury (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Boston: Tenean (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Bourne: Patuisset (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Brewster: Upper Mill Pond (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Danvers: Sandy Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Dartmouth: Moses Smith Creek (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Eastham: Cook's Brook (Bacterial Exceedance), S. Sunken Meadow (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Holden: Eagle Lake (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Oxford: Carbuncle Pond (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Salem: Children's Island - Back (Bacterial Exceedance), Ocean Avenue (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Swampscott: Kings (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Springfield: Camp Wilder (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Templeton: Beamans Pond - Day Use (Bacterial Exceedance), Beamans Pond - Campground (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Townsend: Pearl Hill Pond Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Upton: Upton Town Beach (Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom)
• Winchendon: Lake Dennison State Park at North Camp Beach (Bacterial Exceedance)
• Winthrop: Donovans (Bacterial Exceedance)

Most of these closures are due to bacterial exceedance, meaning the water quality does not meet the safety standards set by the MDPH. Some beaches are closed for other reasons, such as harmful cyanobacteria blooms or physical hazards like riptides and poor visibility.

Additional Closures and Construction Updates

In addition to the bacterial-related closures, some popular beaches are also closed for different reasons. For example, Walden Pond in Concord is closed for the entire summer due to ongoing construction. The main beach at Walden Pond will remain closed while the site undergoes renovations, including the construction of a new $6.1 million bathhouse. This single-story facility will replace the current two-story building from 1947, which is not accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Red Cross Beach at Walden Pond will still be open during the summer, but it will not have lifeguards on duty, and parking will be limited. The project aims to bring the facility up to federal and state accessibility requirements.

When Will the Beaches Reopen?

The MDPH states that beaches can only reopen once the water quality returns to safe levels. There is no fixed timeline for when a beach will reopen, as it depends on the specific conditions of the water. The status of each closed beach can be checked through the MDPH’s water quality dashboard, which is updated twice daily—once at 9:30 a.m. and again at 12:30 p.m. This tool allows residents to stay informed about the latest updates on beach conditions.