These Massachusetts beaches will be closed starting August 1

Travel to New England

Before you head to the beach this weekend, check out this list of closed coastal areas.

Massachusetts is facing another heat wave this weekend. If you want to cool off at the beach, make sure you visit a safe and open beach. These 49 Massachusetts beaches are closed as of Thursday, August 1 due to bacteria concerns.

The state Department of Public Health says bacteria levels tend to rise right after periods of heavy rain. Dirty sewage from the streets collects feces and other harmful bacteria in sewers, which in turn can reach nearby bodies of water.

In Worcester, officials closed the Indian Lake pond due to the presence of a large amount of cyanobacteria in the water. The Department of Inspectional Services says they normally add a little polyaluminum chloride to the water through a dosing station at the mouth of the lake. Typically, this small amount of chemicals reduces the growth of toxic bacteria in the water. However, the recent “low flow” of water in the lake reduced the effectiveness of the chemicals. If you or your pet came into contact with the contaminated water, they should immediately wash with fresh water, officials said. If your pet ingested the water, take them to the vet right away.

Swimming in unsafe water can lead to a number of health problems. The most common and noticeable effects are gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and diarrhea. When ingested, the bacteria can also cause flu-like symptoms, skin rashes, and eye, nose, and throat problems.

It’s unclear when beaches will reopen. Water test results take 24 hours, the DPH says, so results are typically available the next day. For now, the department is warning beachgoers to stay vigilant and check its interactive beach water quality dashboard.

List of beaches closed as of Thursday, August 1

Beaches with an * indicate beaches that were closed for more than a week.

Amherst

• Puffer Fish Pond*
• Swimming hole at Stanley St.*

Ashby

Barn Stable

• Kennedy Memorial/Veterans Beach

Beverly

Boston

• Malibu*
• Savin Hill
• They have*

Chatham

Concord

Danvers

Dartmouth

Framingham

Free city

Grafton

Great Barrington

Green field

• Greenfield Municipal Bathing Beach*

Harwich

Holland

Lynn

Marble head

Nahant

Nantucket

• Sesachacha Pond*
• Washing pond*

Natick

• Cochituate State Park Beach

North Andover

Oxford

Rutland

Salem

• Naumkeag Camp*
• Children’s Island*
• Ocean Avenue
• Osgood

Sherborn

Shutesbury

swamp

Swansea

Taunton

Templeton

City of the city

Truro

West Stockbridge

West Tisbury

• Long Cove*
• Seth’s Pool*

Westminster

Winchendon

Worcester

• Quinsigamond Lake Beach-Regatta Point*
• Indian lake