UPCOMING EVENTS
Get involved! Explore our opportunities.
Reducing Flooding in the Charles River Watershed
The Charles River Flood Model confirms that flooding will be considerably worse by 2070. Today, a so-called "10-year storm", which has a 10% chance of occurring in any given year, causes about 7,660 acres of flooding under current conditions. But, by 2070, due to climate change, the same storm event will flood 10,670 acres, an increase of over 3,000 acres that currently do not flood.
Needham, Dedham, and Boston residents, please join us to provide input on opportunities to use nature-based solutions in your community to reduce flooding and protect critical infrastructure.
Spanish translation will be provided for specific breakout groups.
Cheesecake Brook: Community updates on restoration planning and stormwater projects
We want to hear from you! The Charles River Watershed Association and the City Of Newton will present updates on stormwater mitigation projects along the Cheesecake Brook and a progress report on restoration planning.
Join us to discuss the next projects that can help to protect and restore the Cheesecake Brook!
Community Day Bittersweet Removal
Join us on Saturday, June 1st to remove dangerous invasive Bittersweet vines!
These fast-growing, tenacious vines threaten native species & mature trees. But with your help, we can remove them & restore the river ecosystem.
2024 WATERTOWN DAM HERRING FESTIVAL
Join us for the 2024 Watertown Dam Herring Festival! Come and celebrate the annual migration of Alewife, Blueback Herring, and American Shad from the ocean into the Charles River! This migration celebration will feature a community art build, live entertainment, and fun activities for all ages!
Quinobequin Intertribal Paddle
Join Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and Indigenous Peoples Day Newton for a relaxing midday paddle on one of the most beautiful stretches of the Charles River.
Community Day Water Chestnut Removal
Join us Saturday, July 13th to help us clear the Charles of invasive Water Chestnuts and restore our River!
The fast-growing, aquatic invasives spread rapidly across the river, reducing biodiversity, harming water quality, and impeding recreation. But with your help, we can remove water chestnuts & restore the river ecosystem.
Community Day Bittersweet Removal
Join us on Saturday, August 24th to remove dangerous invasive Bittersweet vines!
These fast-growing, tenacious vines threaten native species & mature trees. But with your help, we can remove them & restore the river ecosystem.
Protecting Back Bay from Climate Change Impacts (NABB/CRWA Meeting)
The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay (NABB) Green Committee and Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) meeting on April 29th, 2024 discusses the primary obstacles to a clean, healthy Charles River; combined sewer overflows (CSOs), stormwater runoff, and climate change; and how we can help.
RUN OF THE CHARLES
CRWA presents the 40th Run of the Charles, Boston’s premier paddling race!
Coolidge Road Green Streets Walk
Join Charles River Watershed Association and City of Boston for a community walk to discuss the status of the proposed Coolidge Road Green Infrastructure Improvements project.
2024 EARTH DAY CHARLES RIVER CLEANUP
JOIN US FOR THE 24TH ANNUAL CHARLES RIVER EARTH DAY CLEANUP
Our cleanup brings together over 3,000 volunteers each year to pick up litter, remove invasive species and assist with park maintenance along all 80 miles of the Charles River.
VIEW EVENT
MUDDY RIVER VISIONING
Please join us to learn about the major sources of pollution to the Muddy River, how the watershed may experience climate change, and what plans are already in the works. Join to give your feedback on what the future of the Muddy River watershed looks like!
CSO WEBINAR: LEARNING FROM MILWAUKEE
Join the Charles River Watershed Association to discuss the current status of the combined sewer overflow (CSO) in Massachusetts and opportunities for progress.
HERRING COUNT TRAINING SESSION
Want to participate in the 2024 herring count? Join this training session to learn about the Charles River herring and how to be a fish monitoring volunteer!
58th ANNUAL MEETING
Every spring, Charles River Watershed Association looks forward to connecting with you and other river lovers at our Annual Meeting to celebrate our impact, together, for a clean, resilient Charles River.
Please join us in person on Wednesday, March 27th at 6PM for an evening full of inspiration!
Community Conversation: Planning for Climate Resilience in Allston
Learn how development projects in Allston are impacting the neighborhood’s resilience to climate change and connection to the Charles River.
Addressing Polluted Runoff from Large Properties
Join CRWA and EPA Region 1 over zoom to hear the latest updates on new stormwater permitting requirements for large parcels.
What's new with Cheesecake Brook?
Join the Charles River Watershed Association and the City of Newton for an initial public meeting on a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management looking at keeping pollution out of Cheesecake Brook, evaluate fish and wildlife passage and helping green the Albemarle corridor.
Rain Barrel Giveaway
Capture your stormwater and help protect the Charles River!
Sign up for a chance to win a FREE rain barrel* and learn about rain barrel installations, maintenance, and how to reduce stormwater runoff pollution from harming the Charles River!
*one rain barrel per Allston/Brighton address
Invasives Removal Community Update
Help us keep the Charles River invasive-free! Join us on February 8th.
Solutions for Climate Change
Join us to learn about how Charles River Watershed Association and watershed communities are creatively preparing for the impacts of climate change!
Public Meeting - Ending Sewer Overflows
This is a great opportunity to show that reducing and eliminating CSOs is important to you––attend the meeting, share your thoughts, and join our call for green infrastructure solutions.
What's Your Vision for a Restored Muddy River?
Join us to kick off a community-led visioning process for a cleaner, more resilient Muddy River. Over the next year, we will be working together to identify the best solutions to improve water quality, habitat, and health of our beloved Muddy.
Dam Busters 101
What does it take to remove a defunct dam? Join us for Dam Busters 101 to find out
The Rights of Nature: Does the Charles River Have Rights?
Join us for an enlightening fireside chat at Cambridge Innovation Center––we will discuss the origins of the Rights of Nature movement, legal questions surrounding these ideas, where technology might fit into supporting the river’s rights, and how this can all come together to better protect the Charles River.
CSO Briefing: Ending Sewage Discharges in Rivers
Join Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, Save the Alewife Brook, Charles River Watershed Association, and Mystic River Watershed Association for a briefing about combined sewer overflows (CSOs).
People's Forum for Nature-Based Solutions
Join Crane Ledge Woods Coalition for an exciting discussion about these solutions featuring CRWA’s Senior Climate Resilience Associate Dira Johanif.
11th Annual Champions of the Charles Gala
Charles River Watershed Association cordially invites you to our 11th Annual Champions of the Charles Gala!
Why we should remove the Watertown Dam: Webinar with Newton Conservators
Join us for a talk with Newton Conservators about why we should remove the Watertown Dam to restore the ecosystem. Featuring River Science Program Manager Lisa Kumpf and Climate Resilience Specialist Robert Kearns.
Mid-Session Legislative Briefing
Please join Charles River Watershed Association and Massachusetts Rivers Alliance on WEDNESDAY, September 27th at 11:00 AM for an update on the status of some of the most pressing environmental legislation for the 2023-2024 session! We'll also cover the recent increases to environmental agencies in the State Budget.
The River is Rising & So Are We: Communities Taking Action on Flooding
Join Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) and Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) to explore how communities, families, and individuals are responding to flooding impacts.
Community Bittersweet Removal
Help us free our trees! Join us on Saturday, September 16th to remove dangerous invasive bittersweet vines!
Progress Towards a Swimmable Charles!
Raise a glass for restored rivers! Join us for an exciting night at Portico Brewing to learn about our ongoing work to restore a clean, resilient Charles River for future generations.
Climate Action On + Off the Screen
Join us for an inspiring film screening on the banks of the Charles River!
Climate Action On + Off the Screen
Join us for an inspiring film screening on the banks of the Charles River!
2022 Three Rivers Report Card Announcement - Water Quality in the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will join Charles River Watershed Association, Mystic River Watershed Association, Neponset River Watershed Association, state and local leaders, and community partners to announce the 2022 Water Quality Report Card Grades for the three rivers that flow into Boston Harbor––the Neponset, the Charles, and the Mystic.
Community Water Chestnut Removal
Help clear the current of water chestnuts! Join us for a fun day out on the river on Saturday, July 15th to remove invasive species and restore our river!