RIVER CURRENT
Your source for the latest news, updates, & events.
Green infrastructure projects in Milford and Natick reduce pollution and mitigate flood risks
Thank you to the Massachusetts Municipal Association for highlighting our green infrastructure project in Milford Town Park which will clean stormwater of pollution and build climate resilience.
For the First Time, EPA to Hold Large Properties Accountable for Stormwater Pollution
EPA Region 1 (New England) announced that for the first time ever, many large property owners in greater Boston will be required to obtain permits to discharge stormwater from their properties.
Intern Appreciation
And just like that, another talented crew of interns are off to their next adventures!
I-90 Update & Public Meeting
MassDOT has released the long-awaited “Notice of Project Change” (NPC) regarding the Allston Multimodal (I-90) Project. CRWA is reviewing how the project will impact the river, Allston-Brighton residents, water quality, flooding, and climate resilience.
Water Chestnut Success!
Thanks to the hard work of over one hundred dedicated volunteers, we removed a whopping 7000 pounds (and counting) of invasive water chestnuts from the Lakes District of the Charles River! That’s twenty-five cubic yards.
Severe Drought– and what you can do about it.
After weeks of little rain and record-breaking extreme heat, the Charles is a mere stream in Millennium Park, tributaries are disappearing, brush fires are spreading, and our volunteer water quality monitors recorded river depths under half a foot in Bellingham, Needham, Newton, and Waltham, usually below defunct dams.
Clearing the Current– Tackling Invasive Aquatic Plants
Attention all boaters! Low-dose herbicide treatment for aquatic invasive species began TODAY, Thursday, August 18th at 9 AM in the Lower Basin (from Watertown to the Harbor) and Lakes District (Newton to Waltham).
UPDATE: Treatment Scheduled for Thursday, August 18th!
The day is finally here! After years of planning and fundraising, DCR plans to treat invasive plants in the Charles River with herbicides this Thursday, August 18, 2022. NOTE: This is a new date, so update your calendars!
A Successful Staff Retreat!
Our team gathered together for a week-long retreat to celebrate our accomplishments, reconnect with our mission, brainstorm new ideas, deepen our relationships with each other and the work, and get inspired for the future. We left feeling renewed, refreshed, and re-energized!
All Smiles for Green Infrastructure in Milford!
Next time you're in Milford, be sure to visit Milford Town Park to see our cool new “green infrastructure” project!
Drought Crisis– Streams Run Dry
Drought conditions continue to worsen, now affecting the entire state, with no relief in sight. What does that look like? In some cases, empty streambeds.
$2M for Invasive Species Removal in the Charles River
Thanks to leadership from Rep. Kay Khan (Newton), the economic development bill, An Act relating to economic growth and relief for the Commonwealth (H.5007), currently moving through the legislature would provide $2 Million for invasive species management in the Charles River.
CRWA, CLF Notify EPA of Intent to Sue
CRWA and Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) notified EPA of our intent to file a lawsuit in federal court over the agency’s failure to regulate properties with large impervious areas that are disproportionately contributing to stormwater pollution in the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers.
Natick Dam Removal Update
Natick's Charles River Dam Advisory Committee is deciding on the future of the Charles River Dam in South Natick. At a July 19 meeting, Committee members expressed strong support in favor of dam removal and river restoration.
2021 Charles River Report Card
The 2021 Report Card Grades are in! From A’s in the middle reaches (Sherborn to Waltham) to a C- in Boston’s Muddy River, the takeaway is that some stretches of the river are relatively healthy while others, particularly in more urbanized sections of the watershed, are not.
Tabling for Trees
Interested in using your advocacy and outreach skills to support our work? Become a River Ambassador! Contact Program Associate, Dira Johanif to join!
These fish are critical to New England, and they're disappearing
"A dam in a river is like a blocked artery; it's like a heart attack," said Robert Kearns, a climate resiliency specialist at the Charles River Watershed Association. "It degrades the water quality behind it; reduces the dissolved oxygen which fish rely on to breathe and to live ... and creates a habitat that's better for invasive species."
On the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, Boston River Report Cards Reveal Grades Ranging from A to F
BOSTON, MA – Today, three Boston-area watershed organizations, along with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced the 2021 Water Quality Report Cards Grades for the three rivers that flow into Boston Harbor: the Neponset, the Charles, and the Mystic.
Polluted Runoff Threatening Boston-Area Rivers
July 14, 2022 (BOSTON, MA) – Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) and Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) have notified the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of their intent to sue to protect three Boston-area rivers from polluted runoff.
Building Resilience in the Watershed Initiative
It’s been two successful years of our Building Resilience in the Watershed Initiative and we have a lot to show for it! With the help of Weston & Sampson, we used the Charles River Flood Model to identify priority actions and recommendations to help our watershed adapt to the changing climate.