Photo: James Rojas/ WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Department of Public Health issued a health advisory Monday about a harmful cyanobacteria algae bloom in the Charles River.
Cambridge Public Health Department said residents should avoid areas downstream of the River Street/Cambridge Street bridge, including Magazine Beach and the BU and MIT boathouses in addition to Broad Canal, Lechmere Canal, North Point Park, Lederman Park, the Community Boating docks, and Storrow Lagoon.
“I clean my boat more just so that like it’s not getting on my body or my clothes without me knowing,” Sarah, a rower on the Charles, told WBZ NewsRadio.
Cyanobacteria algae is a blue-green algae that enters the river through fertilizers, wastewater and animal waste. It grows rapidly in warm waters and produces toxins that are harmful to people, animals and the environment.
The last time an algae bloom health advisory was issued in the river was during the summer.
“It’s really frustrating to have to deal with when you don’t have to deal with this on other bodies of water, but it’s part of rowing on the Charles so we try to do as much as we can to stay safe and healthy,” Gabriel added.
There are currently 30 bodies of water in Massachusetts reported with cyanobacterial algae bloom:
Parker Pond - Barnstable
Lake Holland - Belchertown
Back Bay Fens - Boston
Charles River (Downstream of the Cambridge St./River St. Bridge) - Boston/Cambridge
Sprague Pond - Boston
Quaboag Pond - Brookfield
Brookline Reservoir - Brookline
Chebacco Lake - Essex/Hamilton
Seymour Pond - Harwich/Brewster
West Reservoir - Harwich
Redd’s Pond - Marblehead
Santuit Pond - Mashpee
Capaum Pond - Nantucket
Hummock Pond - Nantucket
Washing Pond- Nantucket
Carbuncle Pond - Oxford
Pontoosuc Lake - Pittsfield
Billington Sea - Plymouth
Boot Pond - Plymouth
Clear Pond - Plymouth
Ezekiel Pond - Plymouth
Great South Pond - Plymouth
Little West Pond - Plymouth
Round Hole Pond (Esta Drive) - Plymouth
Scokes Pond - Plymouth
Congamond Lakes—Middle Pond - Southwick
Beaman Pond - Templeton
Pratt Pond - Upton
Lake Quannapowitt - Wakefield
Hardy Pond - Waltham
Meanwhile, the Head of the Charles Regatta is still expected to take place on Oct. 17 – 19.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.