Flooding Closes Parts Of Walden Pond, Woods

As a result of spring flooding, there will be limited access to Walden Pond and Walden Woods this summer.

The flooding has submerged the location's beaches and parts of the shoreline path that circles the Concord pond made famous by author Henry David Thoreau.

Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Rick Sullivan says the water is four feet higher than usual, and there's no telling when it will go down.

"I can only go back to Thoreau's own words, saying it's a slow process and very unpredictable," Sullivan said. "There isn't any scientific data that say it'll happen in a month or a year or a decade."

Only 169 cars will be allowed at Walden this summer — compared to the usual 300.

Two of three swimming areas will also be closed.