Lynch Park Beach Closed for Elevated Bacteria Levels

Woodbury Beach at Lynch Park has been closed for two days due to elevated bacteria levels in the ocean water, according to the Beverly Health Director.

The closure went into place on Wednesday based on test results from Tuesday. The beach remained closed on Thursday after Wednesday’s test results for Enterococci exceeded state thresholds, said Health Director Bill Burke.

Burke noted that Thursday’s weather was cool with clouds and rain.

“If it had to happen it is a good time,” he said.

A water at a total of 11 beaches are sampled weekly in Beverly, Burke said. This week’s closure is the second of the summer for Woodbury Beach, which is the beach at Lynch Park closest to the parking lot and volleyball court.

It was also one of four beaches closed on Wednesday based on Tuesday’s test results. Also closed were Dane Street Beach, Independence Park beach and Sandy Point beach at the end of Water Street. Those three beaches were reopened on Thursday when test levels of Enterococci fell below the state Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s threshold of 104 colony forming units per 100 milliliters.

If Thursday’s test from Woodbury Beach drops below the limit it will reopen on Friday, Burke said. If not, testing will continue daily until the levels drop.

The testing season typically runs from mid-June through Labor Day, Burke said.

Before this week, three beaches were closed for a day on July 9 – Goat Hill beach, Independence Park beach and Mingo Beach.

Water with elevated levels of Enterococci can cause humans to become sick, especially if the water is ingested, Burke said.

“There’s a possibility it may cause illness,” Burke said, noting he sees various reactions as he goes to the city's beaches to post signs warning swimmers. “Some people are very concerned and others could care less.”