Swimming at Berkshire County Pond for the Next Couple of Days; Here's Why

Richmond Pond in Pittsfield and Richmond is scheduled to restrict swimming, boating and fishing for the next few days, with additional limits lasting longer for other uses. The City of Pittsfield restrictions begin on Thursday, July 16, 2026 and run through Friday, July 17, 2026, according to IBerkshires.com. The temporary closure is linked to a chemical treatment planned for July 16 to control nuisance aquatic vegetation. A longer restriction also remains in place for using pond water for irrigation, which is prohibited until August 29, 2026. The pond covers about 228 acres, with roughly 40% located in Pittsfield, and it has a maximum depth of 54 feet and an average depth of 12.7 feet. The deepest section is referred to as the “deep hole.”