RIVER CURRENT
Your source for the latest news, updates, & events.
Watershed Enters Level 3 Drought
On May 22, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared a Level 3 - Critical Drought - in Northeast Massachusetts, including the Charles River watershed.
CRWA Goes to River Rally
Earlier this month, several CRWA staff attended the River Network’s 2026 River Rally in San Antonio, Texas! River Rally is the nation’s largest gathering of river and water leaders working at the intersection of conservation, justice, and community resilience.
Action Alert: Act Before May 19 To Protect Mass Parks & Environmental Agencies From Funding Cuts
It is budget season, and unfortunately, our air, water, and lands are under attack. Send a message of support to your Senator asking them to support these vital amendments to invest in our parks and the environmental agencies.
Introducing the Watershed Restoration Plan
CRWA’s River Restoration team has developed a watershed-wide restoration plan that identifies and prioritizes opportunities to improve aquatic connectivity.
What’s a Watershed? Brookside Elementary Experiences Hands-on Learning With Watershed in a Box!
On May 7 and 8, CRWA staff and interns introduced watershed principles to 180 second graders across 10 classrooms at Milford’s Brookside Elementary School.
Action Alert: Oppose The Anti-Wetlands Amendments In The Mass Ready Act
Beacon Hill is moving toward passing the Mass Ready Act with the last-minute addition of "Anti-Wetlands Amendments" that threaten to strip away 54 years of environmental progress. These amendments would preempt local wetlands bylaws for "priority housing" projects, undermining important protections across the Commonwealth. Ask your Representative to REVERSE these amendments!
CRWA In The News: Pollution, Climate Change Drives Down Water Quality In Boston’s Three Major Rivers (WGBH)
As our Executive Director, Emily Norton, is quoted in this WGBH article, “These grades make it clear that progress has stalled. To achieve a truly clean, healthy, and swimmable Charles, we need to make the necessary investments in reducing stormwater runoff and ending sewage discharges”.
How clean is the Charles? Understanding the 2025 Charles River Report Card
The Charles River’s Report Card Grades for 2025 are in! What do these grades tell us about the water quality of the Charles?
Boston Rivers’ Failing Report Cards: Infrastructure Issues Halt Progress
On May 6, 2026, Charles River Watershed Association, Mystic River Watershed Association, Neponset River Watershed Association, and community partners gathered at the Boston Museum of Science to announce the 2025 Water Quality Report Card Grades for the three rivers that flow into Boston Harbor—the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset.
Bank Planting Begins at Cheesecake Brook
Bank improvements are underway at Cheesecake Brook and we couldn’t be more excited to see the results of a 2-year project finally come to life.
MWRA Plan to Continue Dumping Sewage in Boston’s Rivers Handed off to State and Federal Agencies
On April 30th, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and the Cities of Cambridge and Somerville submitted their draft Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) to address combined sewer overflows – intentional discharges of raw and partially treated sewage into local rivers and streams – for public comment.
Going Green: Medway Tree Giveaway
On May 1, in collaboration with the Town of Medway Energy & Sustainability Committee and the Medway Garden Club, we distributed 30 native trees to community members in Medway! This supports the goals of CRWA’s recently developed Regional Tree Planting & Protection Plan.
Keepin’ It Clean For Earth Day: 2026 Charles River Cleanup
Between Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, more than 500 community members organized across the watershed for the 27th Annual Charles River Earth Day Cleanup. THANK YOU!
42nd Annual Run of the Charles: A Boatload of Fun
We’d like to thank the racers, volunteers, and sponsors who joined us at the 42nd Annual Run of the Charles!
Massachusetts CSOs Make International News
AP News released an article on combined sewer overflows in Massachusetts, highlighting the grassroots organizations (like CRWA) that are fighting back!
We Want To Hear From You: Charles River Flood Model project!
Climate change is here, and as our climate continues to warm, we expect even more severe storms, resulting in more flooding. Take a few minutes to complete our survey and help shape community-informed flood solutions through our Building Resilience in the Watershed initiative’s Charles River Flood Model project!
Successful Maintenance Training Day in Milford
On Monday, April 13th, CRWA hosted a Maintenance Training Day at Milford Town Park and Louisa Lake.
Action Alert: Take Action To Fund Mass Parks, Dam Removal, & More!
On Wednesday, April 15, the House Ways and Means Committee released its proposed FY2027 budget (H.5500). They have proposed a huge CUT to the budget of the Mass Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in their FY27 budget. This matches what Governor Healey has proposed.
CRWA in the News—“Advocates push for removal of ‘defunct’ Charles River dams that pose flood risk, disrupt ecosystems”
CRWA’s River Restoration Director Lisa Kumpf was interviewed this week by WBZ News Boston for a story on the importance of dam removal for river restoration. Watch it now or read the article.
“Wellesley High senior Riley Spangler honored by CRWA for environmental leadership” Read More in the Swellesley Report
“Wellesley High School senior Riley Spangler is proving that environmental stewardship doesn’t require a trip to a remote rainforest—it can begin right in one’s own backyard. Last month, at the Charles River Watershed Association’s (CRWA) annual meeting, Spangler was recognized for her years of dedication to the health of the Charles River, receiving the prestigious 2025 Young Leaders Award.”