RIVER CURRENT
Your source for the latest news, updates, & events.
Watershed groups seek to intervene in court proceedings following MWRA’s proposal to dump more sewage in Charles and Mystic Rivers (Press Release)
Three weeks after the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) proposed a plan that would allow for untreated sewage to continue to be dumped into the Charles and Mystic Rivers forever, making people sick and destroying sensitive ecosystems, watershed groups filed a motion in court on Tuesday to intervene in the ongoing federal lawsuit that led to the cleanup of Boston Harbor.
Water Authority Board Tables Vote on Proposal to Dump Sewage in Charles River Forever (Press Release)
Following a wave of public outrage over the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s (MWRA) recently-proposed plan to allow for sewage to continue to be dumped into the Charles River forever, the MWRA Board of Directors has tabled a scheduled vote on the proposal at its November 19 meeting.
Water Authority Proposes Dumping Sewage in Charles River Forever (Press Release)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2025
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) on Wednesday proposed a plan that would allow for sewage to continue to be dumped into the Charles River forever.
DPH Lifts Cyanobacteria Advisory In Charles River (Press Release)
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) last week announced its recommendation to lift the public health advisory for the cyanobacteria bloom in the Charles River, 11 weeks after first recommending it.
Cyanobacteria Bloom in Charles River Reduced—Head of the Charles Course Not Under Advisory (Press Release)
BOSTON, MA – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) on Thursday announced its recommendation to rescind the cyanobacteria bloom advisory in the Charles River upstream of the MIT boathouse, no longer affecting the Head of the Charles Regatta course.
Cyanobacteria Bloom In Charles River Expands (Press Release)
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) on Monday announced that the cyanobacteria bloom in the Charles River — now in its 10th week — has expanded to all areas downstream of the Cambridge Street/River Street bridge.
Charles River Watershed Association Named Official Charity Partner of the Boston Marathon (Press Release)
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is excited to announce that it has been named an official charity partner of the 130th Boston Marathon® presented by Bank of America.
CRWA and Milford Secure $600K State Grant to Restore Godfrey Brook and Reduce Flood Risks (Press Release)
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), in partnership with the Town of Milford, has secured nearly $600,000 in funding through the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant Program to lead flood mitigation and climate resilience work in the Town’s Godfrey Brook subwatershed.
Charles River Watershed Association Removes Over 53,000 Pounds of Invasive Plants from Red Wing Bay (Press Release)
Twice a week throughout the summer, Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) led hand–pulling efforts to remove invasive water chestnuts in Red Wing Bay of the Charles River. The organization held its last invasive pull of the season on Monday, August 18, and compiled its final count of invasive water chestnuts removed: 53,589 pounds!
MA Appeals Court Defends Common-Sense Outdoor Watering Restrictions During Droughts (Press Release)
BOSTON, MA– The Massachusetts Appeals Court issued a ruling today that will allow state regulators to continue limiting non-essential outdoor watering during periods of drought, a critical tool to protect rivers and streams from running dry.
Cyanobacteria Bloom Reported in Lower Basin of Charles River (Press Release)
BOSTON, MA – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) this afternoon confirmed a significant cyanobacteria bloom in the lower basin of the Charles River and recommended a public health advisory.
Massachusetts Municipal, Regional Planning, Watershed, and Conservation Organizations Support “Mass Ready Act” Climate Resilience Funding
The Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (Mass MVP) Coalition welcomes a substantial increase in proposed funding to the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant program, included in the “Mass Ready Act,” filed on Tuesday, June 24th.
CRWA Urges Legislators To Eliminate Combined Sewer Overflows (Press Release)
BOSTON, MA – Joined by concerned residents dressed as poop emojis, members of Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) testified before the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources today, urging lawmakers to adopt critical legislation to eliminate combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in Massachusetts water bodies by 2050.
Local Watershed Groups Announce 2024 Water Quality Report Card Grades for Boston’s Urban Rivers (Press Release)
Boston, MA – On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, watershed associations representing the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset river watersheds announced the latest Water Quality Report Card grades for the rivers that flow into Boston Harbor.
Charles River Watershed Association and Indigenous Peoples Day Newton to Host Quinobequin Intertribal Paddle (Press Release)
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and Indigenous Peoples Day (IPD) Newton are co-hosting the third annual Quinobequin Intertribal Paddle on Saturday, June 28 on the Auburndale section of the Charles River.
Charles River Watershed Association to Host 2025 Herring Festival on Sunday, May 18 in Watertown (Press Release)
WATERTOWN, MA – Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) will host its 2025 Herring Festival this Sunday, May 18 at the Watertown Dam, a family-friendly event celebrating the annual migration of fish from the ocean into the Charles River.
Charles River Watershed Association partners with Virridy to test Lume™ E. coli monitoring sensor in the Charles (Press Release)
The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) has partnered with Virridy, a water quality monitoring and environmental data science company, to test Virridy’s Lume™ E.coli sensor in the Charles River as part of CRWA’s water quality monitoring program.
CRWA Hangs ‘Cut The Crap’ Banner Over I-90 To Protest CSOs In Charles River (Press Release)
Members of the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) donned poop emoji costumes and hung a banner reading “Cut The Crap” over Interstate 90 today, kicking off the organization’s campaign to help end combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the Charles River.
26th Annual Earth Day Cleanup Along the Charles River Brings Together Thousands of Volunteers Across More Than 80 Locations (Press Release)
From Holliston to Boston, over 2,000 registered volunteers will work across 80+ sites spanning the Charles River in the 26th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup on Friday, April 25th, and Saturday, April 26th, 2025.
Charles River Watershed Association Announces New Appointments To Board Of Directors (Press Release)
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) elected three new members to its Board of Directors at its 59th annual meeting last week: Susie Klein, Claire White, and Jane Wiseman.