Precautionary Cyanobacteria Advisory Recommended – Charles River, Millennium Park and Cutler Park | | On July 19, the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) received a report of a dog death due to liver failure potentially related to algal toxin exposure from the Charles River at Millennium Park. On July 22, DPH staff collected samples to test for cyanobacteria cells and two types of cyanotoxins known to impact the liver - microcystins and cylindrospermopsin. Until they receive laboratory results, out of an abundance of caution, DPH recommends a precautionary cyanoHAB advisory be issued for the Charles River between Kendrick St./Nahanton St. (Needham/Newton) and Bridge St./Spring St. (Dedham/West Roxbury), and signage posted at all access points along this stretch of river (see template sign above). This precautionary advisory impacts Millennium Park and Cutler Park, among other municipal riverside stretches. | | The Charles River once was a swimming hotspot. Today, it’s a once-a-year opportunity. (Boston Globe) | | 📸: John Tlumacki/Globe Staff | | On July 18, hundreds of people gathered on the Esplanade for City Splash, organized by the Charles River Conservancy. Each year, this event proves that people want to be able to swim in the Charles. The Globe quotes CRWA Executive Director Emily Norton, "We’re not going to be able to reopen those old beaches until we largely eliminate the sewer overflows." | | Public comments are open until September 30, 2026; please submit a comment and make your voice heard for a cleaner Charles! Join us on Wednesday, July 29, for a community meeting with the Allston Brighton Health Collaborative to learn how you can help eliminate sewage from our waterways. | | Wellesley Scouts Take Aim At Water Pollution (Swellesley Report) | | Kudos to Eagle Scout Christian Keiper, who led a group of 40 volunteers to label 643 storm drains across Wellesley to raise awareness about stormwater pollution in the Charles River! | | Dam Removal Begins in South Natick | | |
Dam removal is underway in South Natick! Water levels in the impoundment have been drawn down in anticipation of spillway removal, and demolition of the dam began on July 23. Removing the spillway is part of a larger project that will preserve mature trees, improve air and water quality, reduce heat islands, mitigate flooding, and restore the river ecosystem. You can monitor dam drawdown here.
Want to learn more? Stop by the Bacon Free Library during our office hours, or review project information and sign up for updates on the Town’s project website.
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Did you hear about the Haverhill Sewage Leak? This tragic sewer line break is not the only instance of raw sewage flowing into a Massachusetts river within recent weeks. Just this past Monday, a combined sewer overflow (CSO) occurred, allowing raw sewage to flow into the Charles River.
This is an ongoing problem, but highlights the importance of fighting for a cleaner Charles, now. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and the Cities of Somerville and Cambridge submitted a draft plan proposing the dumping of sewage into the Charles River for decades to come.
Check out our recent video on Instagram and TikTok!
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At the headwaters of our watershed, Milford is a hydrologically important area for restoration, impacting not only the Upper Charles, but everything downstream. In partnership with the Town of Milford, CRWA developed the Milford Restoration Plan, a comprehensive subwatershed plan that identifies strategies to address the environmental challenges and safety risks facing the upper watershed.
The plan includes detailed suggestions for locating restoration projects, including stormwater treatment systems to reduce nutrient pollution in stormwater runoff, mitigate flooding, and significantly increase groundwater recharge.
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We’re happy to welcome Maria Galarza as CRWA’s first-ever Director of People and Operations. In this role, Maria provides strategic leadership for our growing team in the areas of human resources, DEI initiatives, organizational operations, and financial oversight. Previously, Maria served as Director of Administration and Finance for Northeastern University. She holds an M.S. in Project Management from Boston University, a B.S. in Business Management from Lesley University, and is a SHRM Certified Professional.
| | Phosphorus in the Charles | | |
After a year of more consistent sampling for phosphorus at four sites on the mainstem of the Charles (in Waltham, Wellesley, Dover, and Medway), preliminary results show that total phosphorus (TP) levels are correlated to water (“flow”) levels more than other variables. Phosphorus is a naturally occurring nutrient found in fertilizers, leaf litter, and pet waste. Although phosphorus is a vital element for plant life in our ecosystems, an overabundance in a waterway can lead to oxygen depletion, harmful algal blooms, and fish kills. Read our blog post to explore the findings at our sampling locations and how CRWA is working with cities and towns in the watershed to reduce phosphorus pollution in the Charles.
| | Kicking Off The Meet Your Watershed Series | | Thank you to everyone who joined our first two Meet Your Watershed events of 2026! We kicked off the series on June 26 with a 5-mile cycling trip. Riding from Watertown Dam to Cheesecake Brook and back, we enjoyed the beauty of our watershed while discussing our ongoing projects in these areas. On July 14, we partnered with the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation for their Weed Watchers Program, a hands-on training session that provides skills and resources to identify and manage aquatic plants. Stay tuned – we have plenty of exciting events planned – including a birding walk, photography walk, and more! | | Through our Meet Your Watershed event series, we invite you to explore the Charles River watershed—introducing you to places you may be discovering for the first time, as well as deepening your connection to areas you already know and love. By taking a whole-watershed approach, CRWA works to protect and restore the river’s ecosystem while safeguarding public health and strengthening our communities’ resilience in the face of climate change. | | |
July 28 | Protect Nature and Water YES Campaign Launch Hear CRWA's Executive Director Emily Norton speak at the campaign launch rally for the Protect Nature and Water ballot initiative, celebrating that it officially will be on the November ballot.
July 29 | Protecting Our Water: How you can help eliminate combined sewer overflows Join CRWA and the Allston Brighton Health Collaborative to learn how you can help protect the Charles River from harmful combined sewer overflows (CSOs). There will be a free presentation, refreshments, crafting, and a Q+A.
July 30 | Sunset Social Raise a glass for restored rivers! Join CRWA’s Young Professionals Board for an exciting night at Night Shift Brewing’s Lovejoy Wharf location to learn about our ongoing work to restore a clean, resilient Charles River for future generations.
July 31 | Inaugural Lake Cochituate Fishing Classic Join Adventures Unbound and CRWA for the first-ever Lake Cochituate Fishing Classic, a canoe- and kayak-based fishing tournament at the Natick Boathouse in Cochituate State Park.
August 10 | Community Bittersweet Removal Volunteer with us to remove invasive bittersweet vines in Needham! This fun, family-friendly event is a great way to explore our watershed, meet new friends, and make a difference for our river. Spots are limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Can’t make it? We have openings at volunteer dates throughout the summer! Check them out here.
September 22 | Sunset Soiree Harbor Cruise We look forward to celebrating you, the friends and supporters who make CRWA’s work to protect and preserve the Charles River Watershed possible. Mark your calendars for a beautiful evening aboard the Lexington for a cruise on the country’s cleanest urban harbor.
| | 📸: Maggie Fellows, Volunteer Photographer | | | |
CRWA is proud to hold a 4-star rating— the highest score possible — from Charity Navigator, the world’s largest and most trusted nonprofit evaluator. This rating signifies that donors can “give with confidence” to our nonprofit organization! | | If you would like to unsubscribe to a specific email list, please email charles@crwa.org. If you click on Unsubscribe, you will unsubscribe from all CRWA emails moving forward. | | | | |
