Winchendon Joins with Dartmouth, Danvers, Ashby and More as Twenty Massachusetts Beaches Close, Here's Why You Need To Know Now

As of Sunday, July 6, 2025, a total of 20 beaches across Massachusetts have been closed due to elevated bacteria levels in the water. These closures were enforced by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) as part of routine water quality monitoring to ensure public safety. The closures impact beaches in 18 communities, with reasons ranging from bacterial exceedance to construction activities.

The DPH conducts regular testing of beach water, which may be influenced by various factors like stormwater runoff, malfunctioning septic systems, and agricultural runoff. When water quality exceeds safe levels, beaches are closed until laboratory results confirm that bacteria levels are within acceptable ranges. Below is a breakdown of the specific beach closures in the state, including the causes and expected reopening times.

Reason for Closure:Damon Pond Beach in Ashby has been closed, though no specific reason for the closure was provided. The beach will remain closed until water tests show that bacteria levels are back to acceptable standards.

Expected Reopening:The beach will reopen once laboratory analysis confirms the water quality is safe for swimming.

Reason for Closure:Brackenbury Beach in Beverly has been closed due to bacterial exceedance, meaning that bacteria levels have surpassed safe swimming thresholds. This is a common reason for beach closures during hot weather when water quality is affected by high traffic and environmental factors.

Expected Reopening:Once bacteria levels fall below the acceptable limit, the beach will be reopened after laboratory tests confirm its safety for swimming.

Reason for Closure:The closure of Upper Mill Pond in Brewster is due to a harmful cyanobacterial bloom. These blooms can release toxins that are harmful to both humans and animals, which is why the beach has been closed.

Expected Reopening:Upper Mill Pond will remain closed until the harmful algae bloom dissipates and water tests confirm it is safe to swim.

Reason for Closure:The main beach at Walden Pond State Reservation in Concord is closed for the entire summer due to construction of a new bathhouse. A $6.1 million state-of-the-art facility is being built to improve visitor amenities at the iconic site.

Expected Reopening:The beach will remain closed throughout the summer while construction is underway, but the Red Cross Beach at Walden Pond will remain open, although there will be no lifeguards on duty.

Reason for Closure:Sandy Beach in Danvers is closed due to bacterial exceedance. The beach's water quality has been compromised by factors such as stormwater runoff or wildlife waste.

Expected Reopening:The beach will reopen once water quality tests confirm the bacteria levels have decreased to safe levels.

Reason for Closure:Moses Smith Creek in Dartmouth is closed because of elevated bacterial levels, likely stemming from wastewater runoff or other environmental factors.

Expected Reopening:The beach will be reopened when laboratory testing shows that the bacteria count has fallen within the safe limit for swimming.

Expected Reopening:Once the bacteria levels are cleared and water quality returns to acceptable standards, the beach will reopen for use

Reason for Closure:The beach at Upper Highland Lake in Goshen has been closed due to bacterial exceedance. High bacteria levels in the water are unsafe for swimmers, and the beach must remain closed for public health reasons.

Expected Reopening:This beach will reopen when water quality improves and testing confirms that it meets the health standards for swimming.

Reason for Closure:Magnolia Beach in Manchester is closed because of high bacteria levels. The beach, popular for its scenic views, has been temporarily shut down for the safety of swimmers.

Expected Reopening:Magnolia Beach will reopen once bacteria levels fall below safe thresholds, as confirmed by laboratory analysis.

Reason for Closure:Lulu Pond Beach in Pittsfield is closed, though no specific reason has been provided for the closure. Bacterial contamination is suspected to be the cause.

Expected Reopening:The beach will reopen after the DPH confirms that water quality is restored to safe levels for swimming.

Expected Reopening:Laboratory analysis will determine when the bacteria levels have decreased to a safe range. The beaches will reopen as soon as they pass testing.

Reason for Closure:Peckham Pond at Camp Nihan in Saugus is closed due to bacterial exceedance. The bacteria levels in the water are too high for safe swimming.

Expected Reopening:The beach will remain closed until water samples confirm that the bacteria levels are within acceptable limits.

Reason for Closure:Sunset Beach in Shrewsbury is closed due to bacterial exceedance, a common cause of beach closures when there is a significant contamination from sources such as stormwater or waste.

Expected Reopening:The beach will reopen once water quality tests indicate that the bacteria levels are within the safe range for swimming.

Reason for Closure:Lake Wyola in Shutesbury is closed due to bacterial exceedance. The closure was mandated after water quality tests showed unsafe bacteria levels.

Expected Reopening:The beach will reopen once laboratory analysis confirms that the water meets the necessary health standards for safe swimming.

Reason for Closure:Beamans Pond in Templeton, including the campground and day-use area, is closed due to bacterial exceedance, which is a direct result of contaminants in the water.

Expected Reopening:This beach will reopen after lab results confirm that bacteria levels have fallen to safe levels.

Expected Reopening:The beach will reopen once water quality tests confirm the bacteria levels are safe for swimmers.

Expected Reopening:The beach will reopen after lab testing confirms that bacteria levels have returned to safe standards.

Reason for Closure:Shannon Beach at Upper Mystic in Winchester is closed due to bacterial exceedance. High levels of bacteria in the water make it unsafe for swimming.

Expected Reopening:Once water quality tests show that the bacteria count has decreased to an acceptable level, the beach will be reopened for public use.

Beaches are often closed due to high bacteria levels, which can originate from various sources, including stormwater runoff, malfunctioning septic systems, wildlife waste, and agricultural runoff. The DPH monitors water quality regularly to ensure public safety and typically conducts water tests daily or weekly, depending on the beach's usage and susceptibility to water quality issues.

When bacteria levels exceed the safe threshold, beaches are closed until the water quality improves. Laboratory tests take approximately 24 hours to confirm safe water quality levels, and closures may last one to two days following a contamination event.

Swimming in water with high bacteria levels can result in various illnesses, including gastrointestinal issues (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), respiratory problems (sore throat, cough, runny nose), skin rashes, and eye or ear irritation. These risks emphasize the importance of adhering to beach closures for safety.

To help reduce contamination at beaches, the public is encouraged to clean up after pets, dispose of trash properly, and avoid swimming when sick. Additionally, individuals can play a role by not feeding wildlife, using public restrooms, and avoiding dumping anything into storm drains, as water from these drains flows directly into lakes and streams without treatment.

By following these guidelines, the public can assist in keeping beaches clean and safe for everyone.