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The Birth of Boston
Boston was founded in 1630 by a Protestant religious sect called the Puritans. Basic Facts: The Charles River is a small, relatively short river, draining a total land area of 308 square miles. Some 80 brooks and streams, and several major aquifers feed the Charles River. The watershed contains 33 lakes and ponds - most of them manmade. The river flows through 23 communities, adding many political complexities to watershed management. -
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Charles River History
Note: Whenever there is the date 01 January it means that we dont know the exact date and only the year -
Industrialization of the Charles River
Early European settlers harnessed the river for industrialization. As early as 1640, entrepreneurs on the Neponset River engineered a diversion of water from the Charles River to power their mills. -
Construction of the Moody Street Dam
construction of the Moody Street Dam in 1814 to power cotton mills created a 200-acre "mill pond" with many lovely bays and inlets between Newton Lower Falls and Waltham. This scenic area drew thousands of boaters from Norumbega Park around the turn of the 20th century. The premier social and recreational spot of its time, Norumbega featured several boathouses, canoe rentals and two steamboats that made trips through the Lakes District in the summertime. -
Pollution along the Charles
Dams and mills, however, brought pollution. Byproducts from mill processes were dumped into the river as well as waste from houses, roads, and settlements that built up around the mills. Fish populations, which had been abundant, disappeared. In 1875 a government report listed 43 mills along the 9.5-mile tidal estuary from Watertown Dam to Boston Harbor. The Charles River was so polluted from industrial and domestic wastes that the report recommended abandoning cleanup efforts on the river -
Quabbin-to-Boston Water Supply System
Quabbin Reservoir (1930-1939) This water supply system brought growth density to Metropolitan Boston and it becomes Boston's main water supply, till today. The Charles River's capability to cleanse itself was once again overwhelmed because of the flow of new water. However, fueled by this new, extensive water supply, the area grew faster than the capacity to treat domestic, municipal and industrial wastes. -
Outdated Wastewater Treatment Plants
By the mid-1960's the river was in sorry shape after several years of lower-than-average rainfall. Raw sewage flowed from outmoded wastewater treatment plants. Result:
Toxic discharges from industrial facilities colored the river pink and orange. Fish kills, submerged cars and appliances, leaching riverbank landfills, and noxious odors were routine occurrences. -
Citizens and Activists to the rescue
The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) was formed in 1965 in response to increasing public concern about the environment and the declining condition of the Charles River. CRWA works with citzen groups and local, state and federal officals to improve the Charles River water. The initiatives taken over the past four decades have significantly improved water quality in the watershed and approaches to watershed management. Fish have returned to the river and 74% of the Charles River. -
Cleanup of Boston Harbor
Cleanup efforts intensified in 1983 when Conservation Law Foundation sued federal and state officials to force the cleanup of Boston Harbor. Several billion dollars later, extensive sewer system improvements undertaken by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) have significantly reduced regular raw sewage discharges into the Charles River, especially near Boston where it empties into the harbor. -
Charles River Today
Although the Charles River is not completely cleaned, it is nowadays a beautiful tourist attraction. Major colleges such as Brandeis, MIT and Boston University are located along the Charles River. During the summer many people walk along the Charles River or participate in sailing. Even during the winter the view of the Charles River is a scenic higlight. Everyone who visted the Charles River should think about helping to preserve this natural wonder.
