Charles River Watershed Association

Charles River Watershed Association Charles River Watershed Association’s mission is to protect, restore and enhance the Charles River.

The MA Dept. of Public Health announced yesterday that there is a cyanobacteria bloom in the Lower Basin of the Charles ...
08/21/2026

The MA Dept. of Public Health announced yesterday that there is a cyanobacteria bloom in the Lower Basin of the Charles River downstream of Harvard Bridge (a.k.a. Mass Ave Bridge). People and pets should avoid contact with water.

🦠 Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, grow rapidly when bodies of water experience high phosphorus levels, hotter temperatures, and stagnant conditions. In the Charles, cyanobacterial blooms are a symptom of excess stormwater pollution and degraded ecology.

Co-Hosted by CRWA, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, and the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, the Dam Bust...
08/20/2026

Co-Hosted by CRWA, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, and the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, the Dam Busters conference will emphasize a collaborative learning approach for dam removal practitioners at all career levels! This conference is free to all, including breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks, with vegetarian and vegan options available.

Morning breakout sessions will use project case studies to discuss innovative approaches and challenges overcome on the topics of Emergency Dam Removal, Managing Sediment and Site Remediation, Mitigating Potential Impacts to Infrastructure, and Outreach and Community Engagement.

In the afternoon, concurrent training will provide an opportunity to dive deeper into the topics of project management, freshwater mussels, communicating the benefits of dam removal, and funding for dam removal projects from less-known sources.

We hope to see you there! Register: https://www.crwa.org/events/2026-dam-busters-conference

On Sunday the 16th, CRWA hosted our Meet Your Watershed: Photography Walk with pro photographer Julia Hopkins at Mass Au...
08/19/2026

On Sunday the 16th, CRWA hosted our Meet Your Watershed: Photography Walk with pro photographer Julia Hopkins at Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Sanctuary!

A group of talented photographers set out to capture images of what this stretch of the river had to offer. From painted turtles to dragonflies, the morning did not disappoint! On this walk, attendees discussed some of their favorite river shots and shared their favorite photography tips.

Join Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA), Massachusetts Rivers Allian...
08/19/2026

Join Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA), Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, and Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) for a rally to demand a sewage-free future for our waterways!

Right now, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is deciding on a Long-Term Control Plan that could allow pollution to continue for decades. We have until the October 30th public comment deadline to make our voices heard and push a better plan that would eliminate sewage dumping.

Stand in solidarity with your fellow river advocates, hear from leaders on the importance of clean water, and submit your official public comment on-site. Let’s show regulators and elected leaders that we won't settle for anything less than clean water. Together, we will Cut the Crap!

Register Now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/its-time-to-cut-the-crap-rally-for-sewage-free-rivers-tickets-1997913103876

Join Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) for a rally to demand a s...
08/18/2026

Join Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) for a rally to demand a sewage-free future for our waterways!

Right now, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is deciding on a Long-Term Control Plan that could allow pollution to continue for decades. We have until the October 30th public comment deadline to make our voices heard and push a better plan that would eliminate sewage dumping.

Stand in solidarity with your fellow river advocates, hear from leaders on the importance of clean water, and submit your official public comment on-site. Let’s show regulators and elected leaders that we won't settle for anything less than clean water. Together, we will Cut the Crap!

Register Now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/its-time-to-cut-the-crap-rally-for-sewage-free-rivers-tickets-1997913103876

Last Wednesday, we hosted our Meet Your Watershed: Rose Mallow Kayak Tour 🌺After embarking in kayaks from : Newton Histo...
08/17/2026

Last Wednesday, we hosted our Meet Your Watershed: Rose Mallow Kayak Tour 🌺

After embarking in kayaks from : Newton Historic Boathouse, Professor Richard Primack of Boston University led an incredible paddle tour of Rose Mallow sites via kayak along the Charles. Not only were attendees able to see these flowers' variation in colors and size, attendees learned about these flowers' fascinating ecology.

A huge thank you to Richard Primack for offering his expertise & for making this event possible!

📸 Photo Credit to Mary Kocol for Photo #3

Favorite Flora of the Month - The American Lotus!The American Lotus, or Nelumbo lutea, is an iconic plant growing in the...
08/14/2026

Favorite Flora of the Month - The American Lotus!

The American Lotus, or Nelumbo lutea, is an iconic plant growing in the Charles River Watershed. Also known as Yellow Lotus, this plant’s flower petals are a pale yellow, while the leaves look like saucers. The flower floats atop the water, but is rooted to the river’s bottom through long stalks.

Although this plant is native to the watershed, it proliferates easily and can sometimes block light from entering the river!

Here are some important updates in the Charles River Watershed! We have recent reports of an invasive Brittle Naiad infe...
08/13/2026

Here are some important updates in the Charles River Watershed! We have recent reports of an invasive Brittle Naiad infestation and an update to our drought status. Learn more here.

Want to know more? Make sure you are signed up to receive our newsletter.

Here is another update on the South Natick Dam Removal process! Construction is officially underway. Here, you can see w...
08/07/2026

Here is another update on the South Natick Dam Removal process!

Construction is officially underway. Here, you can see water flowing through numerous areas on the construction road. Also, plants have begun to germinate along the bank 🌱

Check out progress photos from our Chronolog: https://www.chronolog.io/site/CRW201

08/06/2026

Last week, we hosted our Sunset Social at Night Shift Lovejoy Wharf with CRWA's Young Professionals Board!

Attendees, including young professionals, river enthusiasts, and environmental advocates, got to mingle, enjoy brews & delicious food from Night Shift's kitchen, and bid in our silent auction. Guests also got access to our brand new CRWA t-shirts! Throughout the evening, everyone got to learn more about CRWA’s work to restore the Charles River and its watershed.

Stay tuned for many more amazing events to come!

Photo credit #1, 3, 6 to Chaowu Li 📸

Address

41 West Street Floor 8
Boston, MA
02111

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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