Notes from an Environmentalist; MA Beach closures

Beach closings in Massachusetts

Here are the latest beach closures, as of Saturday.

• Ashby - Damon Pond Beach (bacterial exceedance)

• Ashland - Hopkinton Reservoir-Main Beach (bacterial exceedance)

• Boston - Tenean Beach (bacterial exceedance)

• Boston - Constitution Beach (bacterial exceedance)

• Boston - Malibu (bacterial exceedance)   

• Braintree - Smith Beach (bacterial exceedance)

• Charlemont - Cold River Pool (bacterial exceedance)

• Clarksburg - Mauserts Pond (bacterial exceedance)

• Concord - Walden Pond (other)

• Dennis - Clipper Lane (bacterial exceedance), Follins Pond (other)

• Framingham - Waushakum Beach (bacterial exceedance)

• Gardner - Dunn Pond (bacterial exceedance)

• Great Barrington - Lake Mansfield (other)

• Nahant - Black Rock (bacterial exceedance)

• North Andover - Berry Pond Beach (bacterial exceedance)

• Pittsfield - Lulu Pond Beach (bacterial exceedance)

• Quincy - Rhoda Beach (bacterial exceedance)

• Rutland - Whitehall Pond Beach (bacterial exceedance)

• Salem - Camp Naumkeag (other), Children's Island - Back (bacterial exceedance), Ocean Avenue (bacterial exceedance)

• Scituate - Bassings Beach (bacterial exceedance)

• Swampscott - Kings Beach (other)

• Swansea - Leeside Beach (other)

• Templeton - Beamans Pond (bacterial exceedance)

• Truro - Longnook Beach (other)

• West Tisbury - Long Cove (fresh) (bacterial exceedance)

• Williamstown - Margaret Lindley Park (bacterial exceedance)

• Winchester - Shannon Beach at Upper Mystic (bacterial exceedance) 

• Yarmouth - Colonial Acres West (bacterial exceedance) Windmill (bacterial exceedance)

Why are beaches closed in Massachusetts?

"Bacterial exceedance" is the most commonly listed reason for closure. Experts say this is caused by runoff pollution or sewage overflows following heavy rain.