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Home > Projects > Science & Technical > Water Quality
WATER QUALITY
CRWA Daily Water Quality Flag Colors |
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Charles River Watershed Association's Water Quality Flagging Program presents the daily flag colors of the river's health, which signify whether or not the river is safe for boating at nine boating locations from Watertown to Boston. Flag colors are based on bacteria levels and blue-green algae counts. CRWA estimates bacteria levels using a model that takes into account various environmental factors. CRWA typically collects river samples for bacteria weekly to verify our model predictions. Algae monitoring is conducted at least every two weeks, or weekly when there is a bloom. Weekend flag colors are based on weather forecasts and are subject to change.
Water quality flag colors for Thursday, September 2, 2010
Click on the links to see the bacteria results for 2010:
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1. Access Sport America at Spaulding Dock |
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6. Charles River Canoe &
Kayak |

2. Union
Boat Club |
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7. Northeastern Boathouse |

3. Charles River Yacht Club |
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8. Community Rowing |

4. Riverside Boat Club |
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9. Newton Yacht Club |

5. Harvard's Weld Boathouse |
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Yellow flags are being flown at the three downstream locations due to a cyanobacteria (a.k.a. blue-green algae) bloom in the Esplanade lagoon and the mainstem of the Charles near these three locations. Cyanobacteria produce toxins that are potentially harmful to humans and pets. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has posted advisories along the Esplande. For more information on cyanobacteria click here.
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A
blue flag indicates safe boating conditions.
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A yellow flag indicates inconclusive data to predict possible
health risks.
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A red flag indicates likely health risks.
Avoid areas
where red flags are posted or make sure you wash after boating nearby.
Flag colors are based on bacteria levels and blue-green algae counts.
Today's
flag colors are a conservative estimate of water quality conditions.
Actual water quality may vary from predictions.
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Flagging
Home Page | Algae Info | Project Background | 1998-2008
Historical Date | Daily water quality email list |
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