RIVER CURRENT
Your source for the latest news, updates, & events.
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.
Charles River Watershed Association Elects Paul Levy As New Board President (Press Release)
Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) elected Paul Levy as the president of the nonprofit’s board of directors at its 59th annual meeting on Wednesday, March 27, 2025.
Newton Officials Break Ground on Project to Address Flooding (Press Release)
City officials broke ground today on an underground storage project along Cheesecake Brook by Albemarle field, which will store all of the untreated stormwater runoff from the six-acre neighborhood and help mitigate flooding.
Progress Toward A Swimmable Charles River: CRWA Applauds MWRA, Cambridge And Somerville For Presenting Options To Eliminate Sewage Overflows (Press Release)
Progress Toward A Swimmable Charles River: CRWA Applauds MWRA, Cambridge And Somerville For Presenting Options To Eliminate Sewage Overflows
Mass. House Approves Climate Bill; Bill Goes to Governor’s Desk Next (Press Release)
Massachusetts House Approves Climate Bill; Legislation Includes Key Language Requiring Flood Risk Mapping
Massachusetts Declares “Critical” Drought As Wildfires Flare And Low Streamflow Persist (Press Release)
Massachusetts Declares “Critical” Drought As Wildfires Flare And Low Streamflows Persist (Press Release)
EPA Takes Major Step To Reduce Water Pollution in Charles, Mystic, Neponset Rivers (Press Release)
EPA Takes Major Step To Reduce Water Pollution in Charles, Mystic, Neponset Rivers (Press Release)
Cyanobacteria Bloom Advisory for Charles River Lifted (PRESS RELEASE)
The cyanobacteria bloom advisory in the Charles River downstream of the Longfellow Bridge was lifted yesterday afternoon.
Charles River Experiences First Cyanobacteria Bloom in Four Years (PRESS RELEASE)
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) this afternoon confirmed a cyanobacteria bloom in the Charles River downstream of the Longfellow Bridge – the river’s first major bloom in four years – and recommended a public health advisory.
State Gives Green Light to Pollute Charles River, Mystic River and Alewife Brook (PRESS RELEASE)
MassDEP permits MWRA, Cambridge, and Somerville to continue discharging sewage into rivers and streams