CRWA Awarded $500K in Federal Funding to Help Protect Watershed Communities from Flooding (Press Release)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 21, 2026
Contact: Stefan Geller, Senior Communications Manager
Phone: 781-572-9341
Email: sgeller@crwa.org
BOSTON, MA – Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is excited to announce that the organization 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.
“Flooding is one of the greatest climate risks in Massachusetts, and it is vital that we prepare ourselves to avoid environmental disaster,” said Executive Director Emily Norton. “With this generous funding, we can take actionable steps to protect our communities in the watershed. We are extremely grateful to Senators Markey and Warren for their work to bring this funding to the Commonwealth.”
“I’m proud to have worked with the entire Massachusetts delegation to secure over $92 million in funding this year for projects that will make our water cleaner, our environment healthier, our workforce stronger, and expand justice in our communities,” said Sen. Markey. “It’s critical that we bring federal resources to our communities to make life better for everyone who calls the Bay State home.”
“Massachusetts families deserve safer roads and flood infrastructure, cleaner water, a strong fishing economy, and programs that protect our youth. This funding will also preserve Massachusetts’ leadership in cutting-edge research. I’m grateful for our Massachusetts leaders’ partnership in securing this funding,” said Sen. Warren.
Precipitation during heavy rain events increased by 60% between 1958 and 2022 in the northeastern United States. And, as our climate continues to warm, we are expecting even more severe storms, and subsequently more flooding. A few more inches of rainfall across the watershed has the potential to increase the Charles River’s volume by millions of gallons during a storm. And, in our highly urbanized watershed that is home to about 1 million people, that means homes, businesses, critical infrastructure, and more are vulnerable to flood damage.
CRWA has been working closely with watershed communities since 2020 to identify and support projects and policies that store stormwater in green stormwater infrastructure systems . In Newton, a subsurface infiltration system was recently placed beneath a playing field at Albemarle Field, receiving flow from a 7.16-acre residential catchment along Crafts Street. The system is designed to infiltrate runoff from the current 25-year storm with a static storage volume of about 500,000 gallons. And in Milford, a similar 200,000-gallon subsurface infiltration system was installed beneath a parking lot at Fino Field and serves a 52-acre catchment area.
“It is imperative that we act now to make sure that our cities and towns are prepared for the effects of climate change,” said Climate Resilience Director Julie Wood. “No one wants their neighborhood to be the site of the next major climate disaster, and projects like these have a real impact in lowering the risk.”
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Charles River Watershed Association’s mission is to protect, restore, and enhance the Charles River and its watershed through science, advocacy, and the law. CRWA develops science-based strategies to increase resilience, protect public health, and promote environmental equity as we confront a changing climate.