Whether you are swimming, boating, or fishing, the Mystic River watershed is a great place to get outdoors. By and large, the Mystic River, Mystic Lakes, and other popular spots in the watershed are clean and safe to enjoy all summer long. However, you may see our boating advisory indicating elevated bacteria levels or a closure at Shannon Beach on Upper Mystic Lake, making recreation unsafe for many residents.
With hotter and hotter summers, these spaces are more critical than ever, and MyRWA is working to address bacterial pollution threatening these opportunities. While we work to improve our parks, paths, beaches, and water quality, it is important to understand how to recreate safely and sustainably. Here’s what you should know about getting out on the Mystic this summer…
Shannon Beach during a hot summer day. Credit: Isaiah Johnson
Bacterial Pollution in the Mystic
Like many water bodies across Massachusetts, the Mystic River and its tributaries, ponds, and lakes can experience bacterial contamination, especially during the warm and rainy spring and summer months. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that are neither plants nor animals, and they are everywhere. Most of them are harmless, but some are pathogens – organisms that cause disease.
The main source of bacterial pollution in the Mystic is raw sewage from our sewer lines, making its way into our waterways through Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), illegal connections, or leaky pipes. Another source is animal waste. All of these pollution sources are aggravated when rain – particularly heavy rain – puts extra strain on our underground pipe infrastructure.
Swimming in unsafe waters may result in illnesses with the following characteristics:
Gastrointestinal symptoms - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
Respiratory symptoms - sore throat, cough, runny nose, and sneezing
Dermatological symptoms - skin rash and itching
Eye and ear symptoms - irritation, earache, itching
Flu-like symptoms - fever and chills
Most of these symptoms are minor, but occasionally a more serious illness may occur. Children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of illness.
How Can I Find Out if It’s Safe to Swim or Boat?
It is important to check water conditions before you plan a trip out on the water. For boating conditions, you can check the Mystic River Daily Boating Advisory for an automated bacteria safety prediction on the Mystic and Malden Rivers and Upper Mystic Lake. We know from past experience that the conditions in the Mystic and Malden are most likely to be “Advisory” in the 1-2 days after a heavy rainstorm.
To see if Shannon Beach is open, you can check the DCR Park Alerts and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard to see if the beach is closed. On days when the beach is closed, DCR will hang red flags on the lifeguard chairs, and lifeguards will not be on duty. To learn more about DCR’s beach water quality monitoring program, visit their FAQ’s.
“Em(Barco)” Paddle with Latino Outdoors and Paddle Boston. Credit: Jose Fernando
The Water is Clean! What Else Can I Do to Stay Safe?
If you’re planning a swim, remember to practice safe swimming habits. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Swim where there is a lifeguard on duty
Keep an eye on young children in the water
Never swim alone
Never swim while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Wear a Coast Guard-approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD) if you are inexperienced
Watch how far you are from the shoreline
If you’re going boating, make sure you wear a properly fitted personal floatation device (PFD). Check the forecast ahead of time for inclement weather, and be prepared to exit the water in case of thunderstorms. Keep an eye out for other boats while on the water. Paddle Boston, which organizes paddle rentals on the Mystic, has a great Mystic River Safety Guide for boating.
Protecting Our Natural Resources
Public swimming areas like Shannon Beach are very popular during the summer, especially on extremely hot days. With limited options for free public swimming across the watershed and beyond, it is important that these resources remain vibrant, welcoming, and accessible for everyone. If you’re visiting the Mystic Lakes, there are a few basic things to keep in mind to keep the park healthy and safe.
Help keep the park free from litter. Plan to pack out and throw out your trash, including dog poop!
If you are grilling, practice fire safety. Use gas and propane as opposed to charcoal grills, and never dump coals in the park
Be mindful of parking. Parking spaces at Shannon Beach are limited to allow DCR staff to empty trash barrels, clean bathrooms, and keep facilities running smoothly on busy days. Keep in mind that parking is not permitted on the shoulders of the Mystic Valley Parkway, and your car may be towed
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at Mystic Lakes State Park
Motorized boats are not allowed on Upper Mystic Lake. On Lower Mystic Lake and the Mystic River, powered boats, including jet skis, are permitted with no wake
Lack of access to public spaces to swim and cool off is an environmental justice issue. While crowding at the lakes is a challenge, everyone should feel welcome to enjoy the water and the park.
Mystic Lakes Path Steering Committee Members and their families gather for food at the Mystic Lakes State Park. Credit: Karl Alexander
What is MyRWA Doing to Keep Our Natural Environment Clean and Accessible?
MyRWA is working toward a healthy, vibrant, and resilient Mystic River watershed for the benefit of all our community members across all of our programs.
Our Mystic Greenways program is improving the Mystic’s network of parks and paths to provide safe and accessible routes for walking, biking, and rolling that connect people to places, nature, and each other.
We continue to advocate for the elimination of Combined Sewer Overflows in the Mystic River and its tributaries.
We are expanding our water quality monitoring efforts, including sampling at Shannon Beach and upstream in the Aberjona River to better understand summer beach closures.
Our Trash Free Mystic aims to reduce the short-term and long-term impacts of trash on our rivers through public education, stewardship, data collection, and collaboration.
We are hard at work all summer long removing invasive plants from our waterways and parks.
We are building green infrastructure solutions to remove phosphorus and other pollutants.
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