RIVER CURRENT
Your source for the latest news, updates, & events.
Op-Ed: “A Swimmable Charles River? It’s possible.” (Boston Globe)
“In just the past two years, more than 100 million gallons of sewage flowed into the river from 63 storm events. Swimming is prohibited except by special permit, and even rowers, paddlers, and sailors are warned to stay out of the water for 48 hours after a sewage discharge.” Read more in the Boston Globe.
“Is MassDOT ready to admit that Allston needs more trains and fewer lanes?” CRWA Featured in Streetsblog Mass
We are thankful to Christian MilNeil for including CRWA in his Streetsblog Mass article, “The Path Forward for Allston’s Highway Megaproject Is Getting Narrower.”
CRWA at 35th Annual Nonpoint Source (NPS) Conference
CRWA’s Max Rome and Alfredo Con, joined by Leigh Munier (CREW), took the trip to Portland Maine to catch an April snowstorm and present on recent developments with the Charles River Climate Compact.
26th Annual Earth Day Cleanup Along the Charles River Brings Together Thousands of Volunteers Across More Than 80 Locations (Press Release)
From Holliston to Boston, over 2,000 registered volunteers will work across 80+ sites spanning the Charles River in the 26th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup on Friday, April 25th, and Saturday, April 26th, 2025.
Drought Update: Improved Conditions
Following a rainy few weeks, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs announced improved drought conditions for the Charles River Watershed.
Charles River Watershed Association Announces New Appointments To Board Of Directors (Press Release)
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) elected three new members to its Board of Directors at its 59th annual meeting last week: Susie Klein, Claire White, and Jane Wiseman.
Federal Budget Cuts Impact on Massachusetts' Climate Efforts—Read More in the Boston Globe
On April 1, 2025, CRWA Executive Director Emily Norton spoke before fellow environmental leaders and state Senator Cynthia Creem at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming. Read more in the Boston Globe
Charles River Watershed Association Elects Paul Levy As New Board President (Press Release)
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) elected Paul Levy as the president of the nonprofit’s board of directors at its 59th annual meeting on Wednesday, March 27, 2025.
Charles River Watershed Enters Month Six of Drought
In October 2024, the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) declared a drought across the state. As of March 2025, drought conditions remain dire. Here’s what this means for residents.
ACTION ALERT: Speak Directly With Officials About Their Plans to Eliminate CSOs!
On April 3, officials will listen to public comments on their plan to eliminate Combined Sewer Overflows in the Charles River. This is your chance to speak up for CSO elimination!
Make your voice heard - Shape a more resilient Charles River watershed!
CRWA and the Charles River Climate Compact have two ongoing initiatives to address flooding and heat impacts using nature-based solutions and green infrastructure, and we want to hear from watershed residents about what features you’d like to see in your community.
A swimmable Charles River? Yes we can! — Letter to the Editor
Forty years after the cleanup of the Charles River began, we still cannot safely swim in its waters. Thank you, Natick Report, for including our letter to make the Charles River swimmable in today’s issue.
Advancing Climate Resilience Through Equity: Introducing the Charles River Climate Compact Equity Action Plan
National Invasive Species Awareness Week
Yesterday marked the beginning of National Invasive Species Awareness Week!
Newton Officials Break Ground on Project to Address Flooding (Press Release)
City officials broke ground today on an underground storage project along Cheesecake Brook by Albemarle field, which will store all of the untreated stormwater runoff from the six-acre neighborhood and help mitigate flooding.
Celebrating Black History Month
An Important Message On DEI From Our Executive Director
MWRA Introduces Proposal to Eliminate CSOs in the Charles River— Read More in the Beacon Hill Times
Check it out! CRWA was featured in the Beacon Hill Times after MWRA introduced several alternative project concepts to eliminate combined sewer overflows in the Charles River.
Thank you for joining us! Stormwater Solutions Coming to Cheesecake Brook
On January 21, we toured Cheesecake Brook with the Native Fish Coalition (NFC) to discuss opportunities to improve fish habitat. That evening, we hosted a public meeting to give project updates and get feedback on upcoming outreach and project opportunities.
Progress Toward A Swimmable Charles River: CRWA Applauds MWRA, Cambridge And Somerville For Presenting Options To Eliminate Sewage Overflows (Press Release)
Progress Toward A Swimmable Charles River: CRWA Applauds MWRA, Cambridge And Somerville For Presenting Options To Eliminate Sewage Overflows