Photo: Courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Reservation
NATICK, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — It's troubled waters for Lake Cochituate, as a bacteria bloom keeps residents from swimming and cooling off during the hottest days of the season yet.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Reservation said activities that may involve contact with the water are not permitted, like tubing and waterskiing. Officials say the closure is in effect at the Cochituate State Park Main Beach and South Pond, as Cyanobacteria was found within the body of water.
State officials said Cyanobacteria can be harmful to humans and pets.
WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe spoke with a couple of park visitors lakeside.
"We didn't know that we shouldn't then we realized there's nobody around and no people and no boats. We knew something was up," said Jen of Natick.
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Gabriel of the kayak rentals at Lake Cochituate says his workers are out in the sun all day.
"Sometimes we'll actually have to jump in the water to cool ourselves down because it will get that hot. Now that we can't jump in, it's absolutely horrendous. The heat is starting to get really annoying, and it's also naturally makes you sleepy— everybody's always consistently tired," Gabriel said.
WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports.
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