Health
Though there are no conclusive results yet, town officials suspect an algae bloom may be to blame for the water issues.
Algae blooms can cause illnesses in humans and be deadly to pets. John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe
August 9, 2026 | 11:08 AM
1 minute to read
Stoughton officials are warning residents to avoid swimming in Ames Pond, especially with their pets, after a dog died last week.
The dog died after swimming in the pond, prompting the town’s Board of Health and Environmental Health Agents to look into the water’s safety, officials said Friday in a press release.
The beach at Ames Pond is tested weekly in accordance with state requirements for recreational beaches. Officials noted that E. Coli testing hasn’t yielded any troubling results, but it’s possible that an algae bloom is to blame.
Algae blooms happen when naturally occurring cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, multiply quickly, according to state officials. This creates a highly concentrated area known as a cyanobacterial algae bloom, which can be harmful to people and animals.
Stoughton officials noted that these blooms can occur very rapidly under the right conditions. Though they may cause illnesses in humans, they can be deadly to pets.
“We will continue to monitor, test and report any exceedances, but residents may want to refrain from having pets from entering the pond at this time,” the Stoughton Board of Health said.
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