RIVER CURRENT
Your source for the latest news, updates, & events.
We Want To Hear From You: Charles River Flood Model project!
Climate change is here, and as our climate continues to warm, we expect even more severe storms, resulting in more flooding. Take a few minutes to complete our survey and help shape community-informed flood solutions through our Building Resilience in the Watershed initiative’s Charles River Flood Model project!
CRWA in the News—“Advocates push for removal of ‘defunct’ Charles River dams that pose flood risk, disrupt ecosystems”
CRWA’s River Restoration Director Lisa Kumpf was interviewed this week by WBZ News Boston for a story on the importance of dam removal for river restoration. Watch it now or read the article.
“Wellesley High senior Riley Spangler honored by CRWA for environmental leadership” Read More in the Swellesley Report
“Wellesley High School senior Riley Spangler is proving that environmental stewardship doesn’t require a trip to a remote rainforest—it can begin right in one’s own backyard. Last month, at the Charles River Watershed Association’s (CRWA) annual meeting, Spangler was recognized for her years of dedication to the health of the Charles River, receiving the prestigious 2025 Young Leaders Award.”
Listen Up! ‘The Charles River Runs Through Us’ Podcast by Green Newton Exchange featuring CRWA
Listen to the latest Green Newton Exchange podcast, featuring Emily Norton, Executive Director of Charles River Watershed Association (and longtime Newton community leader). Hear what projects we at Charles River Watershed Association are working on across Newton and surrounding communities to advance conservation and sustainability.
Meet CRWA’s Newly Elected Board Members
On March 27, more than 120 CRWA members, partners, and volunteers joined us at the MIT Welcome Center for our 60th Annual Meeting. We honored the contributions of the dedicated volunteers, advocates, and environmental leaders who make our work possible and voted to elect board members and officers. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the progress we’ve made!
CRWA Secures $39,000 State Grant To Advance Drought Resiliency Planning Amid Ongoing Drought (Press Release)
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) was awarded $39,000 from the Drought Resiliency and Water Efficiency (DRWE) Grant Program to help watershed communities reduce outdoor water use on municipal property to effectively prepare for future drought conditions.
Watch it Now: Reconnecting Rivers
We’re excited to announce the public release of Reconnecting Rivers, a short film exploring dam removal efforts in the Charles River watershed and beyond to restore ecosystem health, wildlife habitat, and Indigenous sovereignty.
The MWRA cleaned up Boston Harbor. It’s time for it to do the same for the Charles and Mystic rivers. — Op-Ed in The Commonwealth Beacon
Read the new opinion piece in The Commonwealth Beacon by CRWA Executive Director Emily Norton and CRWA Board President Paul Levy.
CRWA In The News: ‘Environmental Groups Push Back on MWRA Plan Allowing Sewage Overflows Into Charles’
A new article in The Harvard Crimson mentions CRWA alongside Save the Alewife Brook and the Mystic River Watershed Association, expressing disappointment in the MWRA’s recent decision to continue dumping sewage into our waterways.
MWRA Decides It’s Too Expensive to Stop Discharging Sewage into the Charles
On February 25, 2026, a vote was taken to continue sewage discharges into the Charles River forever. The reason? MWRA says it would be too costly. But how much would it actually impact ratepayers?
Volunteer Spotlight: Daniel Reeves
We want to take a minute to thank longtime volunteer Daniel Reeves, who began volunteering for CRWA in 2020 through Code for Boston, a volunteer organization that connects software developers to non-profits.
MWRA Board Votes To Continue Dumping Sewage Into The Charles For Decades (Press Release)
On February 25, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) voted to approve an infrastructure plan that would allow sewage discharges into the Charles River forever.
Partner Spotlight: X-Cel Conservation Corps
We want to take a moment to congratulate our partner, X-Cel Conservation Corps, on the release of its very impressive 2025 Program Report.
Clearing the Current of Invasive Species
This week (February 23-27) is National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW)!.
CRWA In The News: As snowbanks begin to melt, road salt poses a threat to New England’s freshwater ecosystems (The Boston Globe)
Read the new article by The Boston Globe featuring CRWA’s Climate Resilience Director Julie Wood on the impact of road salt on our tributaries.
Welcome, Amanda, CRWA's Rita Barron Fellow
We are excited to welcome Amanda Darby as our new Rita Barron Fellow! In this role, she will support the River Science and Restoration programs.
Celebrating Black History Month
Now more than ever, it is important to celebrate and uplift Black history, Black stories, and Black joy in our watershed and beyond. February isn’t just a time to celebrate Black history; it’s also a time to uplift Black futures by highlighting contemporary voices. Looking for resources or ways to celebrate? We have some ideas to get you started!
Thank you for joining us! Boston Climate Social
On February 3, we joined the City of Boston and other community partners for a Green Infrastructure Planning & Flood Mapping Climate Social.
Water Authority Proposes Another Weak Plan That Would Continue Sewage Dumping in Charles River (Press Release)
BOSTON, MA – Following a wave of public outrage in October over a proposed plan to allow for sewage to continue to be dumped into the Charles River forever, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) proposed a new plan to its Board of Directors today, representing an improvement but falling short of eliminating combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and subjecting Boston area residents to a future of sewage dumping in larger rain storms.
Registration Opens for 27th Annual Charles River Earth Day Cleanup (Press Release)
The 27th Annual Charles River Earth Day Cleanup will take place on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, 2026, and volunteer registration is now open at CharlesRiverCleanup.org!