OUR IMPACT

Working together for a clean, resilient Charles River.

HERE’S HOW WE’RE KEEPIN’ IT CLEAN:

Our impact together, for the Charles.

Since CRWA was founded by concerned citizens in 1965, you’ve been an essential part of the cleanup of the Charles River. Together, we’ve been its voice, working to protect, restore, and enhance our river on behalf of all who live here.

YOUR IMPACT, OVER THE YEARS

Annual Report

See the tangible impact your gift has on our shared progress towards a clean, resilient Charles River.

2023 · 2022 · 2021· 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015

By the Numbers.

Our Achievements

  • 2022 · CURBING STORMWATER POLLUTION

    After years of advocacy by CRWA and Conservation Law Foundation—and a threat of litigation—the EPA announced a new stormwater permit program for previously unregulated large commercial, industrial, and institutional property owners, which will reduce the volume of stormwater runoff entering the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers

  • 2019 · STRENGTHENED STORMWATER PROTECTIONS WITH THE MS4 PERMIT

    Reached a settlement with the U.S. EPA to strengthen stormwater protections in the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) general permit.

  • 2019 · ESTABLISHED THE CHARLES RIVER CLIMATE COMPACT

    The Charles River Climate Compact is a coalition of Charles River watershed cities and towns working together to share information and to design and build projects to mitigate flooding and build climate resilience.

  • 2016 · REMOVAL OF OLD MILL DAM IN BELLINGHAM

    CRWA partnered with the Town of Bellingham to successfully remove the aging defunct “significant hazard potential” Old Mill Dam, also known as Caryville Dam, in Bellingham, MA. The dam removal opened up the Charles River to three tributaries, including Mine Brook.

  • 2016 · RECOGNIZED BY AMERICAN RIVERS

    National recognition of the Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup from American Rivers for the last four consecutive years: Most Pounds of Trash Collected and Most Volunteers Mobilized.

  • 2014 · IMPROVED PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY CONSERVATION

    New requirements in the issuance of public water supply permits taking conservation into account.

  • 2013 · GREEN STREETS GUIDANCE FOR BOSTON

    Helped draft Boston’s Complete Streets Guidelines re-greening city streets and achieving stormwater pollution reduction targets.

  • 2011 · THIESS INTERNATIONAL RIVER PRIZE

    CRWA was awarded the prestigious Thiess International Riverprize for visionary and sustainable excellence in river management.

  • 2006 · RESTORING AMERICAN SHAD

    Introduction of the American Shad Restoration Program and the return of the American Shad to the Charles River.

  • 2005 · BREACHING OF BLEACHERY DAM

    CRWA partnered with the Division of Marine Fisheries and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to partially breach Bleachery Dam to allow for greater fish passage. Ultimately we hope to work with partners to fully remove the dam and restore the flow of the river.

  • 2005 · DEVELOPED CHARLES RIVER NUTRIENT TMDL

    CRWA introduces the “total maximum daily load” (TMDL) for phosphorus and nitrogen, which laid the groundwork for MassDEP’s limits on stormwater discharges to the Charles, determined that industrial, commercial, high-density residential, and institutional properties are the most significant sources of phosphate to the river (and is the basis for EPA New England’s 2022 residual designation rule to control phosphate runoff from those properties).

  • 1995 · LAUNCHED IM3 STUDY

    CRWA conducts Integrated Monitoring, Modeling, and Management (IM3) study with support from EPA, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), and others. IM3 examined sources of pollution, modeled water quality impacts, and led to an integrated long-term management plan for the watershed.

  • 1994 · REDUCED SEWAGE RELEASES

    Advocated for the establishment of the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority Long-Term Combined Sewer Overflow Plan to reduce sewage releases into the river during storms. Thanks to suggestions from CRWA, the innovative engineering solution MWRA ultimately chose reduced sewage releases by over 95% and saved ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

  • 1994 · ESTABLISHED VOLUNTEER MONTHLY MONITOR PROGRAM

    Since the beginning, CRWA’s Volunteer Monthly Monitoring (VMM) Program has been the backbone of our work. With over 80 volunteers taking monthly water samples at 35 locations on the Charles River for 25 years, CRWA has the most extensive water quality dataset for the Charles River.

  • 1974 · CREATION OF THE NATURAL VALLEY STORAGE AREA

    Creation of the Natural Valley Storage Area; 8,000 acres of protected wetlands prevent downstream flooding, provide extensive natural habitat, replenish water supplies, and filter out pollutants from entering the Charles.

  • 1974 · RESTORED FISH PASSAGE AT FORMER BEMIS DAM SITE

    After the Bemis (a.k.a. Nonantum) dam breached in 1954, the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) (precursor to DCR) decided to purchase and rebuild the dam. After deliberations in 1974, CRWA in partnership with the Newton Conservation Commission convinced the MDC that the dam should not be rebuilt to promote fish and wildlife passage.

OUR OPERATIONS

Financial Information

Because we rely on public support and the generosity of our donors and volunteers, CRWA values accountability and transparency. See the impact your investment has towards our program goals.

990s:

2021· 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016

AUDITED FINANCIALS:

2021· 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016

A PROVEN STRATEGY FOR A CLEAN, FLOWING, RESILIENT CHARLES RIVER

Keepin’ it Clean

Thanks to friends like you who care for and support the Charles River, it continues to be a life-giving treasure for all who call our watershed home.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR RIVER WITH A GIFT TODAY!

Together, we’re Keepin’ It Clean.