RIVER CURRENT
Your source for the latest news, updates, & events.
2025 Charles River Report Card – Understanding the Grades
The Charles River’s Report Card Grades for 2025 are in! What do these grades tell us about the water quality of the Charles?
Boston Rivers’ Failing Report Cards: Infrastructure Issues Halt Progress
On May 6, 2026, Charles River Watershed Association, Mystic River Watershed Association, Neponset River Watershed Association, and community partners gathered at the Boston Museum of Science to announce the 2025 Water Quality Report Card Grades for the three rivers that flow into Boston Harbor—the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset.
Bank Planting Begins at Cheesecake Brook
Bank improvements are underway at Cheesecake Brook and we couldn’t be more excited to see the results of a 2-year project finally come to life.
MWRA Plan to Continue Dumping Sewage in Boston’s Rivers Handed off to State and Federal Agencies
On April 30th, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and the Cities of Cambridge and Somerville submitted their draft Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) to address combined sewer overflows – intentional discharges of raw and partially treated sewage into local rivers and streams – for public comment.
Keepin’ It Clean For Earth Day: 2026 Charles River Cleanup
Between Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, more than 500 community members organized across the watershed for the 27th Annual Charles River Earth Day Cleanup. THANK YOU!
42nd Annual Run of the Charles: A Boatload of Fun
We’d like to thank the racers, volunteers, and sponsors who joined us at the 42nd Annual Run of the Charles!
Massachusetts CSOs Make International News
AP News released an article on combined sewer overflows in Massachusetts, highlighting the grassroots organizations (like CRWA) that are fighting back!
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!
Successful Maintenance Training Day in Milford
On Monday, April 13th, CRWA hosted a Maintenance Training Day at Milford Town Park and Louisa Lake.
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.