Bass Pond in Springfield closed due to high bacteria

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – In Springfield, Bass Pond and the Paddle Club in Springfield are closed to swimming due to high bacteria.

The City of Springfield issued a notice on Tuesday afternoon from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection that swimming is prohibited temporarily after the bacteria count exceeds the minimum allowed. They identified cyanobacteria, a type of blue-green algae as the culprit.

It is believed that the warm weather and geese feces are contributing factors, but the exact environmental cause is still unknown. The Commissioner Health and Human Services for Springfield, Helen Caulton-Harris tells us this bacteria can impact someone’s digestive and internal systems.

“It is unclear how long the pond will be closed for, because the there is nothing that we can put in the water that’s going to dissipate that bacteria,” said Caulton-Harris. “And so it has to run its natural course and running its natural course, we are not sure how long that will take.”

In about a week, they’ll run additional tests to see if the algae is gone.

Bass Pond is off South Branch Parkway in Springfield and the Paddle Club requires a yearly membership starting at $250 per individual which provides recreational swimming and boating.

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