Check if your Local Beaches are Safe this Summer
by using the “Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard” on Mass.Gov
Massachusetts has 1,100 fresh water and marine beaches in 220 communities.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)
has an interactive dashboard, that residents can use at any time, to check for water quality testing results for
Massachusetts beaches and for any open or closure of beaches.
To access this interactive dashboard, you can use the following link:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/interactive-beach-water-quality-dashboard
*Updates will begin starting May 27, 2024.
For more information on:
- Beach Closures
- Beach Water Quality
- Potential Exposure by Swimming in Contaminated Waters
- and more
View the following documents: Beach Quality Dashboard and FAQ Summer 2024
**Please note that the document above was generated using information from mass.gov using the links below:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/interactive-beach-water-quality-dashboard
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-monitoring-water-quality-at-beaches
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/recreational-water-quality
What do the Beach Warning Flags Mean?
Beach warning flags are used to warn swimmers of conditions, to warn of hazards, to identify safer areas for swimming, and to notify beach users about regulated areas. The flags are used to keep individuals safe and should be followed when posted.
Flag Definitions
The following are specific definitions for each of the flags.
- Yellow – Medium hazard. Moderate surf and/or currents are present. Weak swimmers are discouraged from entering the water. For others, enhanced care and caution should be exercised.
- Red – High hazard. Rough conditions such as strong surf and/or currents are present. All swimmers are discouraged from entering the water. Those entering the water should take great care.
- Double red – Water is closed to public use.
- Purple – Marine pests, such as jellyfish, stingrays, or other marine life which can cause minor injuries are present in the water. This flag is not intended to indicate the presence of sharks.
- Red/yellow (halved red over yellow) – The area is protected by lifeguards. These flags may be used in pairs spaced apart to indicate a designated area or zone along a beach or waterfront that is most closely supervised or patrolled by qualified lifeguards, and where swimming and/or body surfing is permitted. These flags may be used singly to indicate that swimming is permitted in front of the area where the flag is flown and that the area is under the supervision of a qualified lifeguard.
- Black/White (quartered) – These flags may be used in pairs spaced apart to indicate a designated area or zone along a beach or waterfront that is used by those with surfboards and other non-powered watercraft.
- Yellow flag with central black ball – Surfboards and other non-powered watercraft are prohibited.
- Orange windsock – This cone shaped device is used to indicate the direction of offshore winds and to show that it is unsafe for inflatable objects to be used in the water.
- Red/White (quartered) – Emergency evacuation. Swimmers should leave the water because of an emergency. Emergencies may include, but are not limited to, dangerous marine creatures are present, such as a shark, the water is contaminated, or lifeguards need to perform a search of the water area, for example search for a lost child. (The double red flag may alternatively be appropriate.)
The above information can be found on the United States Lifesaving Association here:
https://www.usla.org/page/beach-warning-flags