CLEAN CHARLES RIVER FOR 4^TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Boston, MA … With sunny skies forecasted for this long weekend, this year’s 4^th of July celebration will have blue flags flying along the banks of the Charles River signaling that water quality conditions in the Charles River Basin are good for boating, rowing, and sailing.  Kicking off its sixth season operating the flagging program, Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) this week began predicting water quality in the river and posting results at various Charles River Basin locations, the nine-mile stretch of river from Watertown Dam to the New Charles River Dam.

“Tens of thousands of boaters out on the Charles for this weekend’s event will see blue flags on the riverbanks and enjoy being on the river knowing it is safe for recreation,” states CRWA’s Project Engineer Anna Eleria  “This program has been key to raising the public’s awareness of the river’s improved health.” 

CRWA uses prediction models to estimate daily water quality conditions at four sites.  These statistical models are based on the relationship of fecal coliform bacteria to previous rainfall conditions at Watertown Dam and if available, the previous day’s bacteria concentration.  Rainfall data collected by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) at Watertown Dam in the previous 24 to 168 hours is used daily to predict the probability of the river exceeding the State secondary contact recreation (i.e., boating and sailing) standard for fecal coliform bacteria.  If available, the previous day’s bacteria concentration at each site will also be used in the models to make predictions and verify the accuracy of the models.  Because the weather forecast in Boston calls for dry conditions before, and the day of, the 4^th, the river should be suitable for boating and sailing. 

Results are relayed to nine boating centers where blue or red flags are hoisted and are also posted on CRWA’s website, http://www.charlesriver.org/wq/wq.html, or by calling CRWA’s water quality hotline at (781) 788-0007 ext. 301.  Blue flags fly on days when the estimated probability of the river exceeding the State boating standard for fecal coliform bacteria is equal to or less than 50%.  Red flags are raised when the model predicts a greater than 50% chance of the river exceeding the boating standard, which signals elevated bacteria counts and potential health risks.

Basin boathouses and clubs displaying flags include: Charles River Canoe and Kayak at Herter Park, Community Rowing, Henderson Boathouse (Northeastern University), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) H.W. Pierce Boathouse, MIT Sailing Pavilion, Newton Yacht Club, Riverside Boat Club, Union Boat Club (near the Esplanade), and Weld Boathouse (Harvard University). 

From July to September 2002, CRWA signaled suitable conditions for boaters 89% of the time, up from 53% in 1998.  Red flag days typically occurred after heavy rainfall when stormwater outfalls and combined sewer system overflows discharged pollutants into the river.

Funding for the project is provided by US Environmental Protection Agency and Boston Water and Sewer Commission. 

CRWA was formed in 1965 in response to increasing concern about the declining condition of the Charles.  Since its earliest days of advocacy, CRWA has spearheaded major cleanup and watershed protection projects.  In addition to basin testing and flagging, CRWA volunteers monitor water quality at 37 sites along the entire 80 miles of river each month.

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