RIVER CURRENT
Your source for the latest news, updates, & events.
Common-Sense Outdoor Watering Restrictions During Droughts Withstand Legal Challenge (Press Release)
BOSTON, MA — The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on December 11 declined to take up an appeal filed by water suppliers, challenging state regulators’ authority to limit non-essential outdoor watering during periods of drought, defending a critical tool to protecting rivers and streams from running dry.
CRWA in the News: Emily Norton on Jim & Margery
On December 8, CRWA's Executive Director, Emily Norton, appeared on GBH's popular radio show, Boston Public Radio, with hosts Jim Braude and Andrea Cabral (subbing in for Margery Eagan) to discuss MWRA's proposal to allow sewage to continue to be discharged into the Charles River.
Welcome, Jon!
We’re thrilled to welcome Jon Flynn as CRWA’s new Legal Director!
Charles River Watershed Association Announces Four New Staff Members (Press Release)
BOSTON, MA – Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is excited to announce the addition of four new staff members to its team: Jon Flynn, Pradeep Gyawali, Tyler Chase Ellison, Bobby Nicotera.
Snap a Pic at New S. Natick Dam Photo Station
Attention Natick residents!—make sure to visit our new Chronolog photo station near the S. Natick Dam!
ACTION ALERT: Show Your Support for Dam Removal!
Submit a comment to DCR before December 19, urging them to proceed with the removal of the Watertown Dam!
Emptying Sewage into the Charles? (WBZ, Boston’s News Radio)
CRWA’s Executive Director Emily Norton was invited to NightSide with Dan Rea.
Grateful for YOU saying “No more sewage in the Charles!”
In this season of gratitude, we are thankful for the 9,000 people who have written emails, signed petitions, or made calls telling the MWRA it’s time to “cut the crap.”
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.
MWRA Postpones Vote on Proposal to Dump Sewage in Charles River— Read More in The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, and more!
CSOs are once again making headlines this month, following the MWRA Board of Directors' decision to table a scheduled vote on the proposal at its November 19 meeting after a wave of public outrage,.
Meet The Runners: Team Charles River
We’re excited to announce the members of Team Charles River: Riley Cooper, Hadyn Herrema, Chris Towle, and Jon Madorsky.
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.
Native American Heritage Month
This November, during Native American Heritage Month, we offer up a reminder that Indigenous people are past, present, and future caretakers of this land.
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.
Read press coverage in The Boston Globe, WGBH, and The Harvard Crimson—Water Authority Considers Removing Charles River’s Safe-to-Swim Status To Allow Sewer Overflows
On October 29, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) revealed its long-awaited plan for addressing combined sewage overflows (CSOs) in the Charles: do next to nothing! Read press coverage in The Boston Globe, WGBH, and The Harvard Crimson.
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.
Welcome, Bobby Nicotera!
Bobby Nicotera joins as CRWA’s new Development Operations Associate, supporting data administration, sponsorship management, client communications, and donor event planning.
CRWA’s Legislative Cruise
On October 24, we cruised along the Charles with Mass. state legislators to discuss the many opportunities to improve the health of the river and its watershed.
Removing Invasive Plants with the North American Indian Center of Boston
On October 19, we facilitated an invasive plant removal with the North American Indian Center of Boston (NAICOB) in Jamaica Plain.
Welcome, Tyler Chase Ellison!
Tyler Chase Ellison joins as Stormwater Program Manager, employing his expertise in stormwater engineering, green infrastructure, and sustainable landscape design and management to support our mission of strengthening stormwater regulations, advancing green stormwater projects, eliminating combined sewer overflows, and establishing climate adaptation stormwater standards for all communities along the Charles River and its watershed.