Many beaches across Massachusetts are closed to the public on Saturday, Aug. 23, mostly due to excess bacteria, according to the Department of Public Health (DPH).

In total, 58 beaches are closed to the public, most of them due to high levels of bacteria in the water. This includes Smith Beach in Braintree, Sesachacha Pond in Nantucket and Donovans in Winthrop.

Other beaches closed off on Saturday were due to harmful cyanobacteria, or algae, blooms. Algae produce toxins in the water and can cause harm to people and animals who enter the water.

These blooms have caused beaches to close, including Chicopee Beach in Chicopee, Centennial Grove in Essex and Seymour Pond in Harwich, according to the DPH.

Another closure at Walden Pond State Reservation in Concord is due to ongoing constru

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