Beach Status

View Current Water Quality & Beach Status Report for Town of Barnstable  HERE

September 20, 2022
Today’s Updates:

– A Pet Advisory will be posted at Lovell’s Pond within 24 hours due to increased Cyanobacteria biomass and elevated microcystin toxin levels.

Warning Level
Hinckley Pond, Barnstable

Pet Advisory Level
Lovell’s Pond

To see a map with all monitored ponds and other town’s ponds – check out the Cyanomap at APCC at:
https://apcc.org/our-work/science/community-science/cyanobacteria

Thomas A. McKean, RS, CHO
Director of Public Health
TOWN OF BARNSTABLE

August 18, 2022–Loop Beach is re-opened to swimming.  After its August 10th closure due to elevated Enterococci bacterial counts, beach re-samples were collected on a daily basis.  Laboratory analyses revealed yesterday’s sample brought the geomean to acceptable bacteria counts for swimming in compliance with 105 CMR 445.000, Minimum Standards for Bathing Beaches.

August 18, 2022-Beach Operation Changes:

Friday, August 5: No Lifeguards at Joshua’s Pond (will have gate staff to open bathrooms and check parking permits)

Sunday, August 7: No Lifeguards at Loop Beach (will have gate staff to open bathrooms and check parking permits)

Monday, August 15: No lifeguards at Sandy Neck Beach

Friday, August 19: No lifeguards at Veteran’s Beach

Saturday, August 20: No lifeguards at Kalmus Beach

Saturday, August 20: No Gate Attendants at Hamblin’s and Wequaquet Lake (Closed for the season)

Sunday, August 21: No lifeguards at Dowses Beach

Monday, August 22: No Gate Attendants at Joshua’s Pond, Loop Beach, and MillwayBeach.  (Closed for the season)

Saturday, August 27: No lifeguards at Covell’s Beach

Monday, August 29: No lifeguards at Craigville Beach (All sites are without Lifeguards)

Wednesday, August 31: No Gate Attendants at Sea Street Beach

• Gates covered until Labor Day: Veteran’s, Kalmus, Covell’s, Craigville, Dowses andHathaway’s Pond. 

Tuesday August 16, 2022

5:34 PM

NOTICE OF PUBLIC BATHING BEACH CLOSURES

  • Keyes Beach is closed to swimming due to elevated Enterococci bacteria counts.  Due to this exceedance, this beach does not meet 105 CMR 4445.00, Minimum Standards for Bathing Beaches and is required to be closed to swimming.   Closure signage will be posted within 24 hours.  Re-samples were collected today and the results will be available late tomorrow afternoon.
  • Loop Beach continues to remain closed to swimming due to elevated Enterococci bacteria counts.  This beach continues to fail the geomean limit.   Due to recurring bacterial count exceedances, this beach does not meet 105 CMR 445.00, Minimum Standards for Bathing Beaches, and is required to remain closed to swimming.  Re-samples were taken todayand the results will be available late tomorrow afternoon.

Thomas McKean, RS, CHO

Director of Public Health

Loop Beach

August 15, 2022 | Beach Water Quality Updates

Loop Beach continues to remain closed for swimming due to elevated Enterococci bacteria counts.  Due to recurring bacterial count exceedances, this beach does not meet 105 CMR 445.00, Minimum Standards for Bathing Beaches, and is required to remain closed to swimming.

Re-samples are being taken today however due to the geomean exceedance levels results observed during the past multiple days, please be advised that this beach may be required to remain closed for several more days.

August 10, 2022 – Loop Beach is closed for swimming due to elevated Enterococci bacteria counts.  Due to this exceedance, this beach does not meet 105 CMR 445.00, Minimum Standards for Bathing Beaches, and is required to be closed to swimming.

Re-samples were collected yesterday and the results of the re-samples will be available late this afternoon.

David W. Stanton, RS

Chief Health Inspector

Cyanobacteria Monitoring Map

The 2022 cyanobacteria monitoring program is underway, thanks to our partners and volunteers who make this pond program successful. Click here (PDF) for the 2022 list of ponds being monitored.

Remember, if you notice pond water is scummy, or discolored and may have a strong odor, avoid contact. If you see what you think might be a suspicious cyanobacteria bloom, notify your local health department and send a photo to cyano@apcc.org noting the location, day and time.
If you need general information about Cyanobacteria please check out the following web sites:
CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/habs/index.html
EPA
https://www.epa.gov/cyanohabs
MADPH
https://www.mass.gov/guides/cyanobacterial-harmful-algal-blooms-cyanohabs-water

For local health questions call the Health Division 508-862-4644

To check if your pond has been sampled and its current status please check the APCC Cyanomap HERE

Also, please remember the CDC guidance: “When in doubt it is best to stay out!” 

Cyanobacteria FAQ HERE