The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District announced today that the swim beach at Otter Brook Lake in Keene and Roxbury, N.H., is permanently closed and will not be open to the public when the recreation area opens for the season May 25, 2024.

USACE officials said the closure of the beach is due to water quality concerns, erosion, and reduced funding.

Visitors will still be able to enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, birdwatching, and picnicking when the recreation area opens for the season. The swim beach closure does not affect the boat ramp and boating activities on the lake. Also, the shelters, picnic tables, grills, disc golf course and a flush restroom will all still be available for visitors to utilize. For shelter reservations, visit https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/249980.

The Otter Brook Lake recreation area will be open for the season May 25 through Sept. 1, 2024, Wednesdays through Sundays, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about the recreation area, visit https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Otter-Brook-Lake/.

Visitors looking to swim and use a beach can visit USACE’s Surry Mountain Lake beach in Surry, N.H. The Surry Mountain Lake recreation area offers a 600-foot-long sandy beach with a swimming area. For more information about Surry Mountain Lake, go to https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Surry-Mountain-Lake/.

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