Travel to New England
Before you head to the beach this weekend, check out this list of closed beaches.
GLOUCESTER, MA – 05/09/2018: Some go to school while others go to the beach… a post-Labor Day treat at Farm Point near Bald Rock in Gloucester, an empty beach on a summer day. (David L Ryan/Globe Staff) SECTION: SUBWAY SUBJECT
Summer is coming to an end, but there’s still time to hit the beach! Just make sure to visit an open beach. These 62 Massachusetts beaches are closed, mostly due to bacteria concerns.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, bacteria levels tend to spike right after periods of heavy rain. Dirty street runoff collects feces and other harmful bacteria in the sewers, which can in turn flow into nearby bodies of water.
Swimming in unsanitary waters can lead to many health problems. The most common and noticeable effects are gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and diarrhea. Once ingested, the bacteria can also cause flu-like symptoms, skin rashes, and eye, nasopharyngeal, and throat problems.
It’s not yet clear when beaches will reopen. Water test results take 24 hours, according to the DPH, so results are typically released the next day. For now, the department is recommending beachgoers be vigilant and check their interactive beach water quality dashboard.
Beaches closed from Thursday August 8
Beaches marked with a * indicate beaches that have been closed for more than a week. Two asterisks (**) indicate that the beach has been closed for more than two weeks.
Amherst
- Puffer Pond**
- Stanley Street Swimming Pool**
Ashby
Ashland
Athol
Beverly
Boston
- Constitution
- Malibu**
- Savin Hill*
- Tenean**
Chatham
Concorde
Danvers
Dartmouth
- Hidden Bay
- Jones Town Beach North and South
- Moses Smith Creek*
Framingham
Free city
Harwich
Hingham
Holland
Hubbardston
Lowell
- Merrimac River Bathhouse
Lynn
- Kings**
- Lynn Shore Beach**
Manchester
Marble head
Nantucket
Natick
- Cochituate State Park Beach*
Andover North
- Stevens Pond – Center**
Northampton
Oxford
Rutland
Salem
- Camp Naumkeag**
- Children’s Island**
- Collins Creek
- Juniper tip
- Ocean Avenue*
- Osgood*
- Avenue of willows
Saugus
Shutesbury
Springfield
Swampscott
Taunton
Templeton
Townsend
Truro
Tyngsborough
West Stockbridge
West Tisbury
- Long Cove**
- Seth’s Pond**
Westborough
Williamstown
Winchendon
Winchester
Winthrop
Worcester
- Shoreline Park
- Indian Lake*
- Quinsigamond Lake-Regatta Point Beach*
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