Parker River Clean Water Association

05/24/2026

May 22, 2026:

Today, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared a Level 3 – Critical Drought for the Northeast Region, which includes Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk Counties, as well as the Town of Brookline. The designation follows years of below-average rainfall and declining streamflow across the state, signaling worsening drought conditions and increasing stress on local water supplies.

During the first two weeks of May, much of the Northeast Region received only 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain. Rivers and streams throughout the region are running below normal levels, an indicator that groundwater continues to shrink.

05/23/2026

The Parker River at the USGS gaging station, Byfield, is discharging BELOW 20 cfs (top graph). This is the mandatory criteria for all towns to reduce water consumption.

The second graph displays the river's discharge from Jan 1, 2026 to May 23, 2026. The March showers kept the river flowing above the 20 cfs critical flow, but by late April, we have been in a drought.

Has your town displayed water restriction signs visible to the public? Please encourage your local water departments to comply.

02/28/2026

Adirondack Brook Trout Are Recolonizing Streams Lost to Acid Rain—But Warming Water May Undo the Comeback | MidCurrent https://share.google/PnSMXBQOM5wDc7KVO

01/22/2026

Bacterial pathogens, such as f***l coliform and E. coli, are one of the main sources of water pollution, which can adversely impact recreational use of waterways and aquatic life. Sources of bacterial pollution include animal waste from pets or wildlife in stormwater runoff, failing septic systems,....

01/22/2026

The world has moved beyond a water crisis and into a state of global water bankruptcy, says a new flagship report released on Tuesday by UN researchers.

12/14/2025

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/climate/utah-beaver-rescue.html?unlocked_article_code=1.8k8.Hg4v.m54tQKMMZM9H&smid=nytcore-android-share

Their dams cause floods, and that gets them in trouble with humans. But in the right place, more water can be a big help.