Dozens Of MA Beaches Closed Ahead Of Sun-Splashed Summer Weekend: See Latest Update

SALEM, MA — More than two dozen Massachusetts beaches were off limits to swimming heading into a sun-splashed summer weekend — a decrease of 14 from earlier in the week as drier weather mitigated the storm runoff that typically leads to the closures.

Most of the 25 beaches were closed because of high bacteria levels caused by the 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.

When the water quality is unsafe, the beach must be "posted" with a sign indicating that swimming is unsafe and may cause illness. The main beach at Walden Pond in Concord is closed for the season because of safety concerns associated with the construction of a new bathhouse.

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

• Ashby Damon Pond Beach
• Ashland Reservoir Main Beach
• Ashland Hopkinton Reservoir Upper Beach
• Barnstable Keyes Beach
• Beverly Brackenbury Beach
• Boston Tenean Beach
• Bourne Patuisset
• Brewster Upper Mill Pond
• Concord Walden Pond Main DCR Beach
• Danvers Sandy Beach
• Dartmouth Moses Smith Creek
• Eastham Cook's Brook
• Eastham South Sunken Meadow
• Holden Eagle Lake
• Oxford Carbuncle Pond
• Salem Children's Island - Back
• Salem Ocean Avenue
• Springfield Camp Wilder
• Swampscott King's Beach
• Templeton Beaman's Pond (Campground)
• Templeton Beaman's Pond (Day Use)
• Townsend Pearl Hill Pond
• Upton Town Beach
• Winchendon Lake Dennison
• Winthrop Donovan's 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 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.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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