More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.
While the state stocks the Charles River, Dug Pond, and Lake Cochituate in Natick with trout in the spring, only Lake Cochituate gets the fish in the fall.
Mass Wildlife says it will be stocking local bodies of water as of mid-September, and to watch its tracker to find out more. Lake Cochituate is currently listed as “coming soon.”
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has raised the West Nile Virus risk level from low to moderate in Natick after mosquito samples in neighboring communities tested positive. The virus, usually transmitted to humans via mosquito bites, can cause serious illness.
Three human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in the state, all in Middlesex County, of which Natick is part. Though no positive samples have been collected yet in Natick itself. Positive samples have been identified in neighboring Wellesley, part of Norfolk County.
The mosquitos that carry the virus have thrived in the damp and humid conditions locally this summer.
Natick mosquito protection information.
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Calling all dog lovers—come to the Bacon Free Library grounds on Wednesday, July 21, 10am-11am to meet and greet a variety of therapy dogs. Since these dogs have received extensive training to help people in need, they are very smart, mellow, and sweet. They can handle a lot of love from dog lovers of all ages. These pups can also help people who are fearful or unsure of dogs to learn how to safely approach and pet a dog.
DATE: Wednesday, July 21
TIME: 10am-11am
LOCATION: Bacon Free Library, 58 Eliot Street, Natick, MA
As if coping with a flood warning near the overflowing Charles River and addressing elevated PFAS6 levels in its drinking water supplies through a mandatory water ban for nonessential use isn’t enough for Natick.
The town has also passed along a state warning to residents of toxic algae bloom at Lake Cochituate and is spreading the word that E. coli bacteria has been detected at its Elm Bank wells.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has warned the public not to swim in Lake Cochituate due to the presence of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae bloom) throughout the 635 acre body of water located off of Route 9 and Route 30 in the towns of Natick, Wayland, and Framingham.
Boating and wading are out, too, and pets should be kept away from the popular recreation area. The CDC says that cynobacterial blooms can be deadly for pets. Animals can get very sick and die within hours to days after swallowing cynobacterial toxins. Toxicity of the blooms cannot be determined just by looking at them.
Signs have been posted to warn individuals against contact with the water.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will conduct follow-up sampling at the waterbody when there is no longer visual evidence of a bloom.
For more information, please check the MA DPH website page on Harmful Algal Blooms in Freshwater Bodies at: www.mass.gov/info-details/harmful-algae-blooms-in-freshwater-bodies
You may also call the Bureau of Environmental Health Toxicology Program at (617) 624-5757 or the Natick Board of Health at (508) 647-6460 with any questions.
Natick’s Water/Sewer Division issued a drinking water notice (embedded below) to the public that stresses there’s no need to boil or avoid drinking the water. Acting Town Administrator Jamie Errickson gave a heads up about this news at Wednesday’s Select Board meeting about 9 minutes into the Natick Pegasus recording.
This after discovering a sample of untreated water taken at the Elm Bank Wells on July 13 tested positive for E. coli, which yecch, is a fecal indicator. (We blame the ubiquitous Canada Geese, which we blame for everything.)
Natick has turned off the Elm Bank wells, which have been increasingly relied on during the town’s efforts to mitigate elevated levels of PFAS6, aka forever chemicals that were detected earlier this year. Natick recently approved spending $3M to install carbon filters to get rid of the unwanted chemicals, which through longtime exposure can cause health issues.
Natick disinfects the water it distributes to remove any fecal matter contaminants. The town is conducting more testing to make sure it isn’t letting anything sickening through to residents. It is also attempting to get its disinfection system certified by the state.
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No license is required to fish any public lake, pond, reservoir, stream, or river in Massachusetts from 12am Sat., June 5, 2021 until 11:59pm Sun., June 6, 2021.
All other fishing regulations, including catch limits, apply during Free Fishing Weekend. Other than Free Fishing Weekend, you need a license to fish in fresh water if you are 15 or older. If you’re 15–17 or 70 and older, your license is free. Funds from fishing license sales support MassWildlife’s fisheries research, fish stocking programs, and angler education programs. Buy your fishing license here. For saltwater anglers, Free Saltwater Fishing Weekend is June 19–20.
All of the above are stocked by the state with trout.
Pickerel Pond is also a great place to fish and hike.
Natick retailers such as Natick Outdoor Store and Dick’s Sporting Goods can get you fully outfitted for fishing fun.
