The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture will be holding a public hearing on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 12PM in Room B-2 of the State House. This hearing includes: 807, sponsored by Denise Provost, State Representative, 27th Middlesex, for legislation to establish a Mystic River water quality commission (including members of the General Court) to make an investigation and study of the conditions of said river for fishing, boating and swimming. MyRWA hopes that you will be able to attend!
Tracking Program Announced for 1/31
Please join MyRWA for a special Intro to Tracking Program on Sunday, January 31st. Have you ever wondered who's been wandering around in the snow? Come learn how to identify tracks (and scat) of common Mystic River Watershed residents.
Location: Shannon (formerly Sandy) Beach, Winchester, MA
Time: 11am - 12pm
For more information call 781-316-3438.
Dress for the weather!
Bald Eagle on Lower Mystic Lake
A bald eagle was sighted on December 30th on the Lower Mystic Lake. Bald eagles have been seen during the winter along the upper and lower mystic lakes for several years.
Update on 2011-08-08 18:14 by MyRWA
Related birding trip!
Friends of the Mystic River offers winter bird outing
The Friends of the Mystic River is presenting its annual "Wintering Birds on the Mystic" outing on Saturday, Feb. 6.
Hundreds of birds spend winter in the Mystic River watershed, as long as open water is available. Medford birding expert Paul Roberts will lead an excursion to popular bird locations along the Upper Mystic River and Mystic Lakes. Roberts teaches birding courses with special emphasis on hawks, shorebirds and waterfowl. He’ll be looking particularly for raptors such as a possible eagle, merlin or red-tailed hawk, and waterfowl such as common and hooded mergansers.
The free outing, co-sponsored by the Menotomy Bird Club, will begin at 10 a.m. in front of the West Medford Congregational Church, 400 High Street, and will conclude at noon. There will be car-pooling and limited walking, but participants should dress appropriately for the weather. In very cold weather, this means in layers with hat or cap, gloves, water resistant boots with tread.
The event will take place in snow but will be canceled in case of rain or icy conditions. Bring binoculars and a birding field guide, if possible.
For more information, contact Roberts at 781-483-4263.
The Friends of the Mystic River is a Medford-based community organization focused on the enjoyment, protection and enhancement of the Mystic River in Medford. For more information visit www.fomr.org.
MyRWA Announces "Dough Raiser" Event
On Thursday, January 21, 2010 support the Mystic River Watershed Association at Pizzeria Uno in Porter Square. Whether you dine in or out, enjoy lunch or dinner, part of your total bill will be donated to the Mystic River Watershed Association. Bring a friend, your family, or co-workers to help support your watershed in this unique, and delicious, way!
Mass DEP Releases Draft Water Quality Assessment Report
The Massachusett's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released the Mystic River Watershed 2004-2008 Water Quality Assessment Report. This is a draft for review. The report presents a summary of current water quality data/information in the Mystic River Watershed. The designated uses, where applicable, include: Aquatic Life, Fish Consumption, Drinking Water, Shellfishing, Primary and Secondary Contact Recreation and Aesthetics. Each use, within a given assessment segment, is individually assessed as support or impaired. The document includes maps as well.
Sanitary Sewer Overflows in the News
MyRWA intern Sarah Shivers, a senior at Tufts University, created a project to help MyRWA address Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) in the Watershed. Read her letter in the Arlington Advocate or visit our SSO page to learn more about this important public health concern. Thanks for all of your hard work, Sarah!
Nominate Your River Hero
Do you know someone dedicated to protecting rivers and streams? The River Network's River Hero Award nominations are due Feb. 12, 2010 to honor inspirational leaders of river protection. Last year, MyRWA volunteer extraordinaire Roger Frymire received this prestigious award.
Mystic River Herring Run & Paddle
Join the Mystic River Watershed Association to celebrate the return of the herring at the 14th Annual Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle Fesival on Sunday, May 16, 2010. Grab your running shoes for the 5K Run/Walk along the banks of the Mystic River, or your oar for a 3- or 12- mile paddle up the Mystic River. Join MyRWA for music, food, to learn about local environmental organizations and enjoy the scenic Mystic River. Register today!
Calling all Volunteers!
MyRWA seeks volunteers to assist with planning this event and to help the day of. Contact beth@mysticriver.org for more information.
Mystic Lake Dam Rehabilitation Project
Check out photos taken by a MyRWA volunteer of the Upper Mystic Lake Dam Rehabilitation Project. This project addresses safety and flooding issues, as well as incorporates a much needed fish ladder and eel way. The Mystic River supports diadromous fish including alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback (Alosa aestivalis) herrings, American shad (Alosa sapidissima), American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and white perch (Morone americana). The Mystic River supports one of the largest alewife runs in Massachusetts, making a passable dam a necessity for these fish to reach their native spawning grounds each spring.
Follow MyRWA on Twitter!
MyRWA is tweeting! Become a follower by searching for "MysticMyRWA" today. You'll receive news and event updates related to the Mystic River Watershed.
