Five Mile Pond temporarily closed

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A popular swimming place was shut down in Springfield. Five Mile Pond will be temporarily closed due to an increased bacteria count.

The Springfield Health Department recommended the pond close on Wednesday and Thursday. The water will be tested daily until conditions reach an acceptable level.

Stacey Hildreth-Fortin, the aquatics manager with the Springfield Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Department, said it is not unusual for bacteria levels to be high during a heat wave.

The tests did include, but were not limited to, E. Coli. Contamination was credited to local wildlife.

Hildreth-Fortin said the Wednesday’s samples would likely test high due to ongoing hot weather.

She is hopeful that Five Mile Pond will reopen on Friday.

In the mean time, the city opened the Commerce High School pool to the public.  The Forest Park Pool has already been drained for the season and will not reopen.

The Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management did say that all 15 spray structures will remain open through Labor Day.