FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2004                                                                 

Contact: Anna Eleria, (781) 788-0007 x225

BOATERS WILL ENJOY A CLEAN CHARLES RIVER DURING JULY 4^th CELEBRATIONS

Charles River Watershed Association Flagging Program Communicates Water Quality for Recreation Safety  

Boston, MA … With dry weather conditions predicted for most of this weekend, tens of thousands of boaters out on the Charles River for this weekend’s events will enjoy safe bacteria levels in the river.  Blue and red flags flying on the banks of the Charles River will tell boaters the water quality conditions of the river over the Fourth of July celebration this week, as part of the Charles River Watershed Association’s (CRWA) annual flagging program. 

In its seventh year this program, which operates from July 4^th weekend through the third week of October every year, predicts water quality conditions and posts results, blue or red flags, at various locations in the Charles River Basin.  Blue flags indicate conditions safe for boating and red flags warn of potential health risks on the nine-mile stretch of river from Watertown Dam to the New Charles River Dam.

“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 sites in the Charles.  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. “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,” said Eleria.

Water testing results are relayed to seven boating centers where blue or red flags are hoisted.  Daily results can also be found by calling CRWA’s water quality hotline at (781) 788-0007 ext. 301 or by visiting here.  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), Charles River Yacht Club, Riverside Boat Club, Union Boat Club (near the DCR Hatch Shell), and Weld Boathouse (Harvard University). 

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

The US Environmental Protection Agency and Boston Water and Sewer Commission provide funding for the project.  Clean Charles Coalition members -- Boston University, Harvard University, Pfizer Corporation, Polaroid Corporation, and Triumvirate Environmental Inc. -- provided funding for new flags this year.     

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In response to increasing concern about the declining condition of the Charles, CRWA formed in 1965. 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.