Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Nearly 60 beaches closed this weekend due to bacteria and algae
See if your favorite Massachusetts beach is on the dreaded list this weekend.
Nearly 60 Massachusetts beaches are closed ahead of a beautiful weekend with temperatures rising into the 80s.
As of Friday night, 58 beaches across 36 towns are closed to swimmers due to dangerous bacteria levels and blue-green algae blooms, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s (DPH) interactive beach water quality dashboard. The closed beaches include both freshwater and ocean shorelines. However, the majority of closures are at freshwater ponds—only about 10 ocean beaches are closed.
The number of beach closures has nearly doubled since last month, up from 31 on July 25.
Under state law, local health departments must monitor bacteria levels at more than 1,100 public and semi-public beaches across Massachusetts. They test daily or monthly, depending on each beach’s risk for water quality issues.
Advertisement:
According to the DPH, bacteria levels can increase after heavy rain or from sources such as failing septic systems, sewer overflows, animal waste, and agricultural runoff.
For health and safety reasons, experts advise against swimming in or going near beaches that have been ordered closed due to high bacteria levels and algae blooms. Coming in contact with contaminated water can cause illness, including stomach distress, cold-like symptoms, skin irritation, or eye and ear problems. Children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for serious illness.
During beach season, the dashboard is refreshed every hour between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., seven days a week.
Advertisement:
The list below reflects the latest info as of 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug 22.
Massachusetts beach closures as of Friday, August 22, 2025
Amesbury
- Glen Devin Condominiums
Beverly
- Woodbury
Billerica
- Nutting Lake – Micozzi Beach @ North
- Nutting Lake – Micozzi Beach @ South
Boston
- Tenean (DCR)
Braintree
- Smith Beach
Chicopee
- Chicopee Beach (DCR)
Concord
- Walden Pond – Main (DCR)
Danvers
- Sandy Beach (Danvers)
Essex
- Centennial Grove
Franklin
- Chilson Beach
Framingham
- Saxonville Beach
- Learned Pond Beach
Georgetown
- American Legion Park
Harwich
- Seymour Pond
Holliston
- Pleasure Point
- Stoddard Park
Holden
- Eagle Lake
Lynn
- Kings (DCR) @ Eastern Ave.
- Kings (DCR) @ Kimball Rd.
- Kings (DCR) @ Pierce Rd.
Mashpee
- Santuit Pond @ Bryants Neck
- Santuit Pond @ Town Landing
Natick
- Memorial Beach (Dug Pond) @ Wading
- Cochituate State Park Beach (DCR)
Nantucket
- Sesachacha Pond
New Marlborough
- York Lake Beach (DCR)
North Andover
- Stevens Pond – Center
- Frye Pond Beach (DCR)
Oxford
- Carbuncle Pond
Quincy
- Merrymount
- Wollaston @ Channing Street (DCR)
- Wollaston @ Milton Street (DCR)
- Wollaston @ Rice Road (DCR)
- Wollaston @ Sachem Street (DCR)
Revere
- Short (DCR)
Salem
- Children’s Island – Back
- Children’s Island – Wally
- Ocean Avenue
Saugus
- Pearce Lake @ Breakheart Reservation (DCR)
Sharon
- Community Center Beach
Southwick
- South Pond Beach
Springfield
- Bass Pond @ Right
- Paddle Club @ Right
- Camp Wilder @ Right
Townsend
- Pearl Hill Pond Beach (DCR)
Tisbury
- Hilman’s Point
Wareham
- Shangri-La
Webster
- Memorial Beach (Webster) @ Location 1
- Memorial Beach (Webster) @ Location 2
- Lakeside
Winchendon
- Lake Dennison State Park (DCR) @ North Camp Beach
- Lake Dennison State Park (DCR) @ Day Use Beach
Winthrop
- Donovans
- Halford
- Winthrop Beach (DCR)
Wilmington
- Wilmington Town Beach @ Center
- Wilmington Town Beach @ Right
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com