RIVER CURRENT
Your source for the latest news, updates, & events.
Welcome, Fall 2025 Interns!
Meet the newest CRWA Interns. These hardworking individuals will support CRWA’s mission in various ways throughout the fall. Welcome, Rowan, Audrey, and Ilsiia!
Charles River Watershed Association Named Official Charity Partner of the Boston Marathon (Press Release)
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is excited to announce that it has been named an official charity partner of the 130th Boston Marathon® presented by Bank of America.
What Massachusetts’ New Biodiversity Plan Means for Charles River Watershed Residents
Last month, Governor Healey announced a nation-leading 25-year biodiversity initiative which represents a significant step toward Massachusetts' climate goals; however, this order is only as powerful as its implementation. We’re left wondering what this biodiversity initiative means for the Charles River watershed and its residents. We’ve dug into the 36-page report and have some key takeaways to share.
Cheers to 60 Years of CRWA!
On September 16, we celebrated CRWA's 60th birthday by cruising Boston Harbor with some of the friends and supporters who make our work possible.
CRWA and Milford Secure $600K State Grant to Restore Godfrey Brook and Reduce Flood Risks (Press Release)
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), in partnership with the Town of Milford, has secured nearly $600,000 in funding through the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant Program to lead flood mitigation and climate resilience work in the Town’s Godfrey Brook subwatershed.
Fed up, groups demand solution to sewer overflows — State House News Service
Great to read this new article by State House News Service (SHNS) featuring local efforts to eliminate combined sewer overflows (CSOs) from Massachusetts waterbodies, featuring CRWA’s Cut the Crap campaign.
Life in Cheesecake Brook
Earlier this month, we hosted a “BioBlitz” biological survey at Cheesecake Brook. We also joined the Native Fish Coalition (NFC) on a “fishing trip” at Cheesecake and were able to confirm that the brook can sustain aquatic life!
Charles River Watershed Reenters Significant Drought
It’s been just announced that most of the Charles River watershed is in a significant drought. But when we look at precipitation, we see that rainfall isn't far off the year-to-date average; in fact, statewide, 2025 has been rainier than average. In Boston, we are about 3 inches behind the cumulative average for this time of the year. So why are these typical variations from the average leaving us with completely dry riverbeds?
Canterbury Brook Restoration Kick Off (on wheels!)
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Chez Vous in Dorchester for rollerskating and pizza as we kicked off a long-term, community-driven vision plan for the restoration of Canterbury Brook and its surrounding land.
Welcome, Pradeep!
We are excited to welcome Pradeep Gwayali as CRWA’s Senior Finance and Operations Manager.
Dedham Strengthens Wetland Protections
The Town of Dedham’s Conservation Commission voted unanimously to strengthen local Wetlands Protection Rules & Regulations, the first revision of these protections since 2003!
It Ain’t Easy Being Green: Lower Basin Cyanobacteria Bloom
For the entirety of August, a cyanobacteria bloom in the lower basin has made it unsafe to recreate in the Charles downstream of Harvard Bridge. Become a visual monitor to help!
Charles River Watershed Association Removes Over 53,000 Pounds of Invasive Plants from Red Wing Bay (Press Release)
Twice a week throughout the summer, Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) led hand–pulling efforts to remove invasive water chestnuts in Red Wing Bay of the Charles River. The organization held its last invasive pull of the season on Monday, August 18, and compiled its final count of invasive water chestnuts removed: 53,589 pounds!
ACTION ALERT: Speak Up Once More for Climate Adaptation Research in the Northeast
Once again, our partner is under attack. CRWA and thousands of others rely on NE CASC research to accurately respond to climate change, but their funding is frozen as Trump tries to reappropriate their $14M budget to unrelated projects.
Governor Healey Launches Nation-Leading Biodiversity Initiative
Earlier this month, the Healey-Driscoll Administration launched a nation-leading 25-year biodiversity initiative that will help restore rivers, forests, and habitats across the state.
CRWA on Jim & Margery: "We need to be angry that we can't swim in the Charles River"
On Wednesday, August 20, Senior Stormwater Program Manager Max Rome was a guest on Boston Public Radio to discuss the water quality of the Charles River
CRWA’s Volunteer Monthly Monitoring Program Turns 30!
August is National Water Quality Month, and this year we are celebrating the anniversary of CRWA’s Volunteer Monthly Monitoring (VMM) Program.
Boston Takes On Dirty Stormwater — Sierra Club Magazine
A new Sierra article highlights the most significant challenge we’re experiencing regarding a clean Charles River: stormwater.
‘New initiatives aim to make Charles River and Mass. beaches more swimmable” —Read More in The Boston Globe
CRWA featured in a new Boston Globe article highlighting state-wide initiatives to increase waterbodies’ swimmability.
Stormwater Infiltration Basin Installed at Crafts St in Newton
Earlier this month, the City of Newton completed installation of a 50,000 cubic foot subsurface infiltration system along Cheesecake Brook at Crafts Street.