Of the 556 locations examined (some beaches have more than one sampling location) in Massachusetts, the report concluded that 264 tested beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day in 2020 and that 29 beaches were potentially unsafe on at least 25% of the days they were tested.
What beaches are contaminated in Massachusetts?
Other beaches called out for having the most potentially unsafe days in the state were Tenean Beach in Boston, Wollaston Beach, Keyes Beach in Barnstable, Malibu Beach in Dorchester and Sandy Beach in Essex County.
Can you swim on the beach in Massachusetts?
Visitors to the area may find themselves pleasantly surprised by the number of great public beaches. The majority of Boston area beaches are accessible by public transit and most have sandy shorelines. Waters here are warm enough for swimming and/or recreational activities.
Are Boston beaches safe?
In 2020, the overall water quality safety rating for Boston Harbor’s regional beaches managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation was 93% which was an improvement over the prior year, which had a score of 89%.
Does Massachusetts have good beaches?
With close to 200 miles of coastline, Massachusetts boasts some of the most spectacular beaches in the country. The wide variety of landscapes makes the Bay State unique. Granite boulders on the North Shore are in stark contrast to the miles of wide, sandy dunes along Cape Cod.
Is Nahant beach safe to swim?
According to the data from Save the Harbor, Save the Bay, overall water quality at 15 local beaches stood at 93% in 2020 — compared to 89% in 2019. That list includes beaches like Nahant on the North Shore, to Nantasket on the South Shore.
Is Quincy Bay clean?
Over the past decade, in violation of the Clean Water Act, Quincy has discharged a range of pollutants into the harbor and surrounding waterways, including E. coli and other harmful bacteria, federal officials found.
Is Cape Cod safe to swim?
Are Cape Cod beaches dangerous? Since 2016, there have been 718 reports of shark activity at Cape Cod beaches which is higher than ever. And since these sharks spend 47% of their time in 15 feet deep (or less) water, Cape Cod beaches can be dangerous if you venture too deep into the ocean.
Is it safe to swim in the ocean at Cape Cod?
The waters around Cape Cod are not places where you can swim or surf without a fear of sharks. Great white shark sightings had become more and more common in the last few years on Cape Cod, but encounters with humans had been limited to just scary episodes and beach closures.
Do people swim in Cape Cod beaches?
Visiting the beach may be the highlight of your visit to Cape Cod National Seashore. Swimming in the sea, watching wildlife, or relaxing on the beach – there are many opportunities.
Is it safe to swim in South Boston?
South Boston’s M Street Beach is likely the cleanest for swimming, according to the latest scores, something that has been the case for several years running now. Nearby City Point and Pleasure Bay are pretty clean water-wise too.
Is Pleasure Bay safe to swim in?
Yes, you can swim in calm and protected Pleasure Bay. The water is clean and clear, Thanks to the harbor clean-up 20 years ago.
Can you swim in the Boston Harbor?
While Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area is water-oriented, none of the islands or peninsula parks are true swimming destinations. The beaches are all gravel, so you need either tough feet or water shoes to have any chance of enjoying yourself.
Are the beaches warm in Massachusetts?
Sea water temperature throughout Massachusetts is not yet warm enough for swimming and does not exceed 68°F. The warmest ocean temperature in Massachusetts today is 60.1°F (in Fall River), and the coldest sea temperature is 51.3°F (Nauset Beach).
What is the clearest beach in Massachusetts?
14 Swimming Spots With The Clearest, Most Pristine Water In Massachusetts
- Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester.
- Lake Dennison, Winchendon.
- Upper Goose Pond, Lee.
- Morses Pond, Wellesley.
- Chapel Brook Falls, Ashfield.
- Long Pond, Middlesex Falls.
- Chatham Lighthouse Beach, Chatham.
- Coast Guard Beach, Provincetown.
What is the biggest beach in Massachusetts?
Sandy Neck Beach in Massachusetts is the longest in the state and blessed with incredible beauty. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting. Sandy Neck Beach is a stunning stretch of sand and sea. The beach extends for over six miles and offers 4,700 acres of dunes, maritime forests, and marshes to explore.
Why does Lynn beach smell?
For more than 100 years, beachgoers in Lynn and Nahant called it “the smell. ” It came from a rare algae that settled and decomposed on local beaches. For decades, scientists were puzzled about how to eliminate the odor.
Why is Nahant Beach closed?
Parking areas at Lynn Shore and Nahant Beach Reservation closed to aid in the prevention of spreading Covid-19.
Is Lynn beach safe to swim in?
“While we are delighted with the progress that we have made on most of the region’s public beaches, we are disappointed to report that Tenean Beach in Dorchester and King’s Beach in Lynn and Swampscott were still unsafe for swimming more than one out of every five days in 2020,” Mancini said.
Is Boston Harbor clean?
Summary, Boston Harbor amphipods and the facility
Boston Harbor is cleaner than it ever has been. When the Boston Harbor Project was formed the MWRA went to work creating the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. CSOs were eliminated and their discharge was reduced by 90%.
Why is Wollaston Beach so dirty?
Experts say that water flowing into the saltwater at Wollaston beach from eight storm-water outfall pipes is the main source of bacteria there, but pet waste is also a serious contributor to the contamination of both water and sand, said Bruce Berman, director of strategy and communications for Save the Harbor/Save the
