RIVER CURRENT
Your source for the latest news, updates, & events.
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.
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.
Welcome, Interns
We’re happy to welcome our new interns!
Cheesecake Brook Timelapse
With the help of the City of Newton, we installed two chronolog photo stations by the tributary.
Thanks to YOU, Pressure Builds on MWRA to Eliminate CSOs
Nearly 350 community members joined CRWA, Save the Alewife Brook, Mystic River Watershed Association, and Green Cambridge on January 11 for a public meeting on plans to address combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in Boston’s waterways.
Thank you for joining us! Reconnecting Rivers Screenings
This month, we hosted two screenings of our new short film, Reconnecting Rivers, which we produced with Turnaround Films.
CRWA Awarded $500K in Federal Funding to Help Protect Watershed Communities from Flooding (Press Release)
BOSTON, MA – Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is excited to announce that it will receive $500,000 in federal funding to work with communities to identify and advance effective flood reduction opportunities in the Charles River watershed. The funds are a part of a congressionally-directed spending bill for FY 26, and were secured by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.
Defending the Clean Water Act
This month, with the guidance of CRWA’s new Legal Director, Jon Flynn, we submitted formal comments opposing an EPA proposal that would redefine “waters of the United States” and dramatically narrow the scope of the Clean Water Act.
Welcome, Marwa
CRWA is thrilled to welcome Marwa Alnaal as our Advocacy Director, leading our advocacy strategy, policy engagement, and coalition-building efforts.
Save the Date: Run of the Charles 2026
Mark your calendars! Run of the Charles will return on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Thank You, Fall Interns!
Winter is in full swing, meaning it’s time for us to bid farewell to our fall interns, Audrey Peel, Ilsiia Shakirova, and Rowan Compton.
Canterbury School Visits
Thank you to Edward Everett Elementary School and SJP Lower Mills School for hosting Restoration and Engagement Associate Emilia Dick Fiora Del Fabro, and other CRWA staff, along with Community Liaison Joel Richards, for presentations on wetlands and green infrastructure.