swimmin hole

[jd-science.livejournal.com]

i know this was asked before, but what are the good swimming places in the area? i know there's the tufts pool, but what with it being gorgeous (finally) out, i'd like to go somewheres outdoors. also, does anyone know what the water quality in the upper mystic lake is like these days? thanks.

Comments

[foxalbers.livejournal.com]

also, does anyone know what the water quality in the upper mystic lake is like these days?

Do you like swimming in arsenic? Chromium? E. Coli?

Unless you have a death wish, I'd suggest finding more pristine waters.

[beforeigo.livejournal.com]

That's what the Tufts pool is like, too.

[ron_newman]

Nevertheless, the state does operate Sandy Beach which is at the Winchester end of the Upper Mystic Lake, off Mystic Valley Parkway. I'm not sure when lifeguard service starts there this summer.

The state also operates an outdoor pool at Russell Field, which is at the end of Rindge Avenue in North Cambridge. Again I'm not sure when this opens for the summer.

[anotherjen.livejournal.com]

We just discovered this beach at the end of last summer, and it's very convenient to our house. Can you point me to a website with some objective/scientific information about the water quality?

[foxalbers.livejournal.com]

"About 10 miles northwest of Boston, the Aberjona River winds its way through the community of Woburn, Massachusetts, a once highly industrialized city that is now the location of two Superfund sites. For over two centuries wastes from a variety of industries, including leather tanneries and pesticide manufacturers, were released into the river resulting in elevated levels of arsenic and other heavy metals throughout the Aberjona watershed. A significant portion of the arsenic contamination has been transported to the Upper Mystic Lake - some 5 miles downstream - where this toxic heavy metal has been accumulating in the lake sediment.

As the terminus of the Aberjona watershed, the Upper Mystic Lake suffers from chronic and cumulative contamination by arsenic and other heavy metals. Arsenic from the Aberjona River continues to enter the shallow forebays (i.e., the littoral wetlands) and the main basin of the Upper Mystic Lake at a steady rate. This arsenic contamination not only builds up in the lake sediment over time, but also periodically resuspends from the sediment to the overlying water. Because the Upper Mystic Lake is a popular recreation area used for swimming, sailing, and fishing, there is concern about potential human exposures to the lake's metal contamination. Understanding the transport of metals in the lake is essential for assessing the health risks of the lake's metal contamination. However, the transport and cycling of heavy metals in this and other lake systems are still poorly understood."

Research Brief 32: Understanding the Physical Processes Involved in Metal Transport in the Upper Mystic Lake (http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:aCpWxw8P1B4J:niles.niehs.nih.gov/sbrp/rb/rbs.cfm%3FResbrfnum%3D32%26view%3D%27%27+upper+mystic+lake+arsenic&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=firefox-a)

I don't have any specific numbers as to what concentrations are where, but since there are plenty of other bodies of water in the area that didn't serve as industrial dumping sites....

[anotherjen.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That's useful information.

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

Walden Pond is a bit of a drive/bike/commuter rail trek, but lovely.
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/wldn.htm

Here's a list of all of the state parks with swimming:
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/swimming.htm

If you're looking for ocean Revere Beach and Quincy shore are T-able.

The City of Arlington has a watering hole, but it's more a place for toddlers to splash ( http://www.town.arlington.ma.us/Public_Documents/ArlingtonMA_Recreation/facilities )


According to the Mystic River Watershed Association ( http://www.mysticriver.org/ ) there are two superfund sites in the Mystic watershed, plus many sewer discharges into the river.

[hissilliness.livejournal.com]

The Arlington site is right on the Minuteman, and though you're right that it's no great shakes, it can be a nice supplement to a shopping trip up to TJ's, particularly this time of year, before (I think) they've started charging for access.

I noticed the other day that the Eastern Mass bikemap lists a swimming hole called Springs Brook right by the Bedford end of the path. Does anyone know if that's worth seeking out?

[ron_newman]

tiny nitpick: Arlington is a town. Some people who live there tend to be slightly annoyed when people call it a 'city'.

Looks like Sandy Beach in Winchester was open for Memorial Day weekend -- I saw lots of folks there when I rode past it on my bike yesterday afternoon.

[frederic.livejournal.com]

A little ways a way to the south is the Blue Hills Reservation where there is swimming at Houghtons Pond.

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/houghtonsPond.htm

Driving and public transportation directions at the bottom of this page:

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/blue.htm

A lot of great hiking to do there besides swimming.

I'd also second the Walden Pond vote. I've biked out there from Somerville before. Very clean, clear looking water with plenty of fish so I'm guessing that the water is in pretty good condition. Can get crowded though.