CHARLES RIVER IN GOOD SHAPE FOR ROWING REGATTA

Boston, MA - Rowers from around the world can expect favorable water quality conditions when they converge on the Charles River Basin for the 36^th Head of the Charles Regatta this weekend, according to the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA.)  Data gathered by the association since June 20^th indicates that the regatta course has met state standards for boating 90 percent of the time - close to the same rate as last year.

"This welcoming news for regatta rowers is consistent with the message we signaled to basin boaters most of the summer," said Kathy Baskin, CRWA’s project manager.  "Rowing on the Charles is far safer than when the regatta was first held in the sixties, and this is a wonderful time to showcase that improvement."

Regular water quality monitoring is part of CRWA’s real-time pollution warning program for boaters in the heavily-used, 10-mile segment between Boston and Cambridge.  Fecal coliform levels have been tested five days a week for 18 weeks since June. Results are reported back immediately to nine boating facilities along the basin where color-coded flags are hoisted. Blue flags tell boaters that the river meets acceptable bacteria levels, as set by the state Department of Environmental Protection. Red flags signal that bacteria levels have reached unhealthy levels.

Red flags typically fly after heavy rainfall when stormdrains and sewer system overflows discharge pollutants into the river.  Even in an unusually wet summer, the basin met boating standards 87 percent of the time after rainfall.  During dry weather, that figure rose to 96 percent.  Dry conditions forecasted for the end of this week bode very well for the regatta.

"This year’s data nearly matches last year’s from the same period," Baskin remarked.  "That means improvements we’re seeing in the health of the Charles are holding steady."

CRWA’s monitoring and flagging program relies on assistance from volunteers at Boston University’s  DeWolfe Boathouse, Charles River Canoe and Kayak, Community Rowing, Northeastern University’s Henderson Boathouse, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sailing Pavilion, Newton Yacht Club, Riverside Boat Club, and Harvard University’s Weld Boathouse.  The program is funded by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Boston Water and Sewer Commission, Metropolitan District Commission, Triumvirate Environmental, and Stop & Shop.