Celebration of Spring Herring Run at Watertown Dam

The Charles River Watershed Association will celebrate the migration of herring up the Charles River in Watertown on Wednesday. The Spring Herring Run Celebration will be held on May 17 at 6 p.m. at the Watertown Dam. The CRWA sent out the following announcement:

Did you know, each Spring, thousands of migratory fish return to spawn in the lakes, ponds, and tributaries of our river? Join us for a short walk along the Charles River to witness this extraordinary migration + learn why we advocate for the removal of Watertown Dam to restore the ecosystem. Join us for a short walk along the Charles River to witness this extraordinary migration and learn why we advocate for the removal of Watertown Dam to restore the ecosystem. Speakers include River Science & Restoration Program Manager Lisa Kumpf, Climate Resilience Specialist Robert Kearns, and Hartman Deetz of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.

Volunteers Will Cleanup Along the Charles River for Earth Day

The Charles River Cleanup will take place at different areas along the river in Watertown on Saturday. The following announcement was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s Office:

Join Senator Brownsberger and staff for the annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup on Saturday, April 22, 2023 to pick up litter along the river. Teams will gather at three locations:

Herter Park from 10 AM – 12 PM

Squibnocket Park from 10 AM – 12 PM

Charles River Greenway (behind Stop & Shop) from 9 AM – 12 PM

We encourage all volunteers to bring a reusable water bottle. Upon your arrival, we will provide direction regarding what area of the park & river pathway you and your group can focus on. In partnership with DCR, we will provide bags and gloves. If you have any questions, feel welcome to email me directly.

Support Building for Removing Watertown Dam from Charles River

Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. The group pushing to have the Watertown Dam removed from the Charles River received a major grant, and the effort got the support of the Charles River Chamber of Commerce. The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) has appealed to the Watertown City Council to support removing the dam located just west of the Galen Street Bridge in Watertown Square. The decision will be made at the state level, because it falls under the control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Our History: Seth Bemis, Owned Mill That Made Sails for the USS Constitution

Seth Bemis 1775-1852 (Photo courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library)

The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by former Historical Society Vice-President, the late Pam Pinsky for the July 2006 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier”. MOUNT AUBURN NOTABLES

In celebration of the 375 th anniversary of the founding of Watertown, the Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery and the Historical Society of Watertown joined together on Oct. 9, 2005 to give a guided tour of the gravesites of several notable people who once resided in Watertown. The lives of our Watertown notables were recalled by members of the Historical Society Council and Historical Society volunteers.

Our History: A Look Back at the Charles River Through the Years

Chuck DickinsonThe Charles River in Watertown. This article is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Paul Brennan, former President and former Vice President of the Historical Society. It was published in our October 1998 newsletter, “The Town Crier.” THE CHARLES RIVER, LONG AGO

The Native American name for the Charles River was Quineboquin.

Registration Open for Charles River Cleanup on Earth Day

The following information was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

Registration is now open for the 24th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup on Saturday, April 22, 2023! Each year, the Charles River Cleanup brings together over 3,500 volunteers to improve the parks, forests, playgrounds, and paths and keep the Charles River clean, safe, and beautiful for all. 

The Charles River Cleanup builds on a national effort as part of American Rivers’ National River Cleanup®, which, to date, has removed over 32.5 million pounds of trash from America’s waterways. Since 1999, Charles River Cleanup volunteers have gathered each Earth Day to pick up litter, remove invasive species, and assist with park maintenance along all 80 miles of the Charles River and the 1,100 acres of Emerald Necklace parkland surrounding the Muddy River, a tributary of the Charles. Volunteers have a long-lasting impact — the Charles River Cleanup empowers ordinary river lovers to give back to their communities in a tangible way, forge new connections with nature and each other, and become life-long stewards of our river. REGISTER FOR THE CHARLES RIVER CLEANUP HERE

“Each year, we are so humbled by the extraordinary efforts of our community to care for our beloved Charles River,” says Emily Norton, Executive Director of Charles River Watershed Association. “Thanks to the generosity of time and effort of our volunteers, we are able to transform our parks and forests, restoring our river’s ecosystem for people and wildlife alike.”

“Litter not only poses a threat to the environment but also makes the parks less welcoming.

U.S. Rep Clark Presents Watertown with $240K for Project to Protect River, Increase Climate Resiliency

Charlie BreitroseCongresswoman Catherine Clark looks on as Watertown City Manager George Proakis speaks about the $240,000 in federal funds to build stormwater tree trenches in town. Congresswoman Katherine Clark visited City Hall Monday to announce $240,000 in federal funding for a climate-related project in Watertown. The City will use the money to install 15 tree trenches designed to remove pollutants from the Charles River and cool temperatures by providing more trees on City streets. The Department of Public Works applied for the money after hearing about the funding, said Watertown DPW Superintendent Greg St. Louis.

City Council Urges State to Remove Watertown Dam

Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. The City Council sent a letter to State officials in support of removing the “Watertown DCR Dam” from the Charles River, near Watertown Square. The Council cited climate resilience, rebuilding the population of fish species in the Charles, and the opposition of the dam by indigenous people in the letter. While the dam is located on a stretch of the river in Watertown’s city limits, the Charles and its shores are controlled by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).