RIVER CURRENT
Your source for the latest news, updates, & events.
Release: Charles River Watershed Association Announces New Staff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is pleased to announce the addition of several new staff members to its growing team.
Running for a Clean Charles
We are excited to announce that for the second year in a row, CRWA has been named an Official Charity Partner of the 131st Boston Marathon®, presented by Bank of America.
Letter to the Editor: Region's water supply needs our attention as we face a drier future (Boston Globe)
Thank you to the Boston Globe for highlighting drought and water management issues in Massachusetts and for publishing our letter to the editor on September 12.
"Cut The Crap" Water Advocates Rally for Sewage-Free Rivers (Boston Sun)
On September 8, we gathered with fellow clean water advocates on the banks of the Charles for a Cut The Crap rally demanding sewage-free rivers. We are grateful to the Boston Sun and other outlets for covering it.
Show up for clean water! Upcoming CSO Hearings
This fall, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the cities of Cambridge and Somerville are hosting three public hearings. We urge you to attend and share why you want sewage-free rivers. This is our last push to make our voices heard!
Release: “Cut The Crap”, Water Advocates Rally For Sewage-Free Rivers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Clean water advocates gathered on the Charles River Esplanade today for a rally demanding sewage-free rivers.
Watch Now: Cheesecake Brook Restoration Video
Since 2020, we have worked with the City of Newton to improve water quality, stormwater infiltration, and biodiversity at Cheesecake Brook. Check out this 2-minute video about the green infrastructure improvements made at the brook this summer.
A Look At Last Spring’s Herring Run
Each spring, thousands of migratory fish return to the Charles River to spawn from the ocean. 2026 marked the third year of CRWA’s fish monitoring program, a vital volunteer initiative that helps us understand migratory fish populations and patterns in the Charles River. The numbers are in; it’s time to take a look at the 2026 herring run!
CRWA in the News: Gov. Healey joins conservation advocates at Hammond Pond rally for Question 6 (Fig City News)
Thank you, Fig City News, for featuring CRWA in a recent article on the August 30 Nature 4 MA Rally.
Welcome, José!
We’re excited to welcome José Eguigure as CRWA’s first-ever Director of Donor Engagement.
Cyanobacteria Advisory in Lower Basin Expands
On August 28, the Dept. of Public Health expanded the warning area to more areas upstream of the original limit of the bloom on the 21st. The current bloom impacts all points downstream of the Boston University Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences Building (aka "Jenga Tower") to the mouth of the Charles.
Legislative Update
The 2025-2026 legislative session is still going (unlike past years when it would have ended July 31), and there are two key bills we are focused on.
Release: Cyanobacteria Bloom in Lower Basin of Charles River
BOSTON, MA – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recommended a public health advisory due to a significant cyanobacteria bloom in the Lower Basin of the Charles River downstream of the Harvard Bridge (a.k.a. Mass Ave Bridge).
CRWA Discusses Conservation with US Rep Pressley
CRWA Climate Resilience Engagement Associate Joanna Argudo and summer intern Shivangi Basu attended an Urban Farmers and Environmental Stewards Convening with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources on August 13th at the Everett Community Growers’ Tremont Street Community Garden.
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $750K to Charles River Watershed
We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for awarding ECO One Stop funds to support climate resilience and restoration projects across the watershed!
Rapidly Spreading Aquatic Invasive: What To Know
There have been multiple reports of dense growths of aquatic plants along the shoreline and inside docks in the Charles River Lower Basin, including in Sunset Bay and from the Cambridge Boat Club to the Head of the Charles finish line. CRWA has been in contact with the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), which has identified the plant as Najas minor or “brittle naiad.”
Good News! July Showers Bring Drought Improvements
We’re happy to announce that after above-average rainfall in July, drought conditions have improved from the previous Level 3, “Critical Drought”, classification to Level 2-Significant Drought.
Young Professional Board Hosts Sunset Social
Raise a glass for restored rivers! Thank you to the 150 river lovers who joined us for CRWA Young Professionals Board’s first Sunset Social on July 30.
Release: Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $100K to Restore Rivers and Wetlands Across Greater Boston
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2026
BOSTON, MA – Charles River Watershed Association and Neponset River Watershed Association will receive a $101,305 grant to establish the Metro Boston Partnership and advance watershed-scale ecological restoration and climate resilience projects across the 428-sq-mi Charles and Neponset River watersheds.
Phosphorus in the Charles River
After a year of more consistent sampling for phosphorus at four sites on the mainstem of the Charles – in Waltham, Wellesley, Dover, and Medway–we have preliminary results to share.