Hurricane Irene heads to MA

Stay safe!

Extreme weather conditions are forecasted for Saturday night and Sunday. While MyRWA is eager to collect information of sewer overflows and flooding, your safety is paramount. Please do NOT go out to investigate! MyRWA encourages you to stay indoors on Sunday given the current forecast. Click here to review hurricane information and preparedness suggestions from the Office of Public Safety and Security.

IF you are out and see a sewer overflow or flooding, please report it using this form. Again, safety permitting, send your photos of sewer overflows and flooding, labeled with the location and date, to SSO@MysticRiver.org.

What to expect:

• Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) and Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) are possible, releasing untreated sewage onto road surfaces. High bacteria levels are likely for 48 hours after the storm. MyRWA advises you to avoid contact with waterbodies for 48 hours following the storm.

• Flooding is possible - be cautious.

Preparation:

• Be prepared to lose power.

• Pick up trash on your street to prevent it from entering and/or clogging your stormdrain.

• MyRWA suggests gathering baking supplies for peanut butter chocolate chip cookies to make it through the storm!

COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW IN ALEWIFE BROOK

The City of Cambridge has issued an advisory that Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) CAM401B has discharged to Alewife Brook on August 22, 2011. During heavy or prolonged rain events, CSOs can discharge stormwater mixed with untreated sewage. Discharges from CSOs contain levels of bacteria, viruses, raw sewage and other pollutants that may pose health risks to people who come in direct or indirect contact (e.g. contact with pets swimming in contaminated water). Contact with CSO-contaminated water should be avoided. Click the link here for more information about CSO's.

Yet Another Water Chestnut Pull!

On Thursday, August 25th, from 5pm-8pm Groundwork Somerville, with support from the Mystic River Watershed Association and the Friends of the Mystic River, will host a community event focusing on the removal of invasive water chestnut from the Mystic River. Using canoes, kayaks, and small boats, volunteers will pull water chestnuts out of the water by hand and then deposit the harvested plants at a designated shore site. We've had tremendous success at past events so decided to add another!
When: Thursday, Aug. 25, 5pm-8pm (arrive anytime after 5!)
Where: Field at Auburn Street, Medford, MA along the river - head towards the dumpster!

MyRWA Announces Photography Competition

Photo Credit Big Tall GuyGive us your best shot!

The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is seeking photographs that illustrate the beauty and challenges of the Mystic River Watershed.  Contest categories include Plants, Wildlife, Landscape and Recreation & Appreciation.  Photos must be taken within the Mystic River Watershed and be submitted by 5pm on Friday, October 14th, 2011. Amateur photographers are encouraged!

The Mystic River Watershed Association works to improve environmental conditions for the nearly one half million residents within the 22 community Mystic River Watershed.

MyRWA's Volunteer of the Year Award

Call for Submissions:

Volunteer Extraordinaire: Volunteer of the Year!

Do you know a MyRWA volunteer who goes above and beyond? Here at MyRWA, we rely upon the gracious efforts of our volunteers throughout the year and for a variety of projects. Each year, we select one volunteer to honor at our annual meeting (October 2011).

Who is your volunteer extraordinaire of 2011? Please submit your nomination of someone who has performed significant work towards protecting and restoring the Mystic River Watershed. This person could be a volunteer at MyRWA or another organization, but must be working to improve environmental conditions in the Mystic River Watershed.

Submit your proposals to Beth@MysticRiver.org or by calling Beth at 781-316-3438.

Please include:

• Your full name, email address and phone number.

• Full name, email address and phone number (if you have it) of your suggestion for Volunteer of the Year. Include a short explanation of this person’s contribution to a healthier Mystic River Watershed.

• Volunteer of the Year nominations are due by Thursday, September 15, 2011.

CSO Activation in Alewife Brook on August 7, 9, and 10.

NOTICE ALERT:

The following text was provided by the City of Cambridge MA.

"In accordance with the conditions of the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Alewife Brook/Upper Mystic River Variance we are hereby notifying you that a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) occurred at CAM401B on August 7, 2011 and discharged into the Alewife Brook. The Variance approved workplan requires the Cambridge Department of Public Works (DPW) to notify local health agents, DEP, EPA and MRWA within 24 hours of when a CSO event occurs. It was determined that 401B was the most active outfall and would be the most suitable indicator of CSO activity along the Alewife Brook. This notification does not reflect the absence of any activation at other sites. Rather, the notice is intended to be confirmation to users of the resource that untreated sewage discharges to the Brook/River have occurred.
The water quality in Alewife Brook is often impaired due to bacterial and other pollutants from a number of sources, including stormwater runoff, CSOs and cross connections between sanitary sewers and stormwater drains. Water quality in the brook during both wet and dry weather generally fails to meet state bacteria standards for fishing and swimming. Contaminant sources originate in the watershed communities of Belmont, Arlington, Cambridge and Somerville, all of which are undertaking programs to identify and control the sources of pollution to the brook. Portions of Cambridge and Somerville are served by combined stormwater and sanitary sewer systems, common in older cities. There are eight CSO outfalls on Alewife Brook (see the attached map for locations) which discharge untreated CSO (a mixture of wastewater and stormwater) during moderate and heavy rainfall to relieve the system and prevent sewer backups into homes, businesses, and streets. In addition, bordering communities also have separate drainage pipes that collect stormwater runoff and carry it to the brook. Discharges from CSOs and from separate stormwater pipes include bacteria and other pathogens, oxygen-demanding pollutants, solids and other contaminants. Public health officials recommend avoiding contact with the brook during and for 48 hours following rain storms, as there may be increased health risks during these periods. Contact with floodwaters should also be avoided as they may contain similar contaminants and pose associated health risks. Clean up information following a flood is available on the MA Department of Environmental Protection web site at: http://www.mass.gov/dep/floodcleanup.htm For real-time water data at Fresh Pond Reservoir, you can view the United States Geological Survey National Water System website at: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ma/nwis Please contact Catherine Daly Woodbury at 617-349-4818 or James Wilcox at 617-349-6426 if you have any questions."

 Update on 2011-08-10 12:44 by MyRWA

An additional notice has been sent out for a CSO in Alewife Brook on August 9 going into August 10th.

Malden River Community Meeting Announced

On Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at 6:30 PM, Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. (Tri-CAP) will host an open community meeting about several Malden River topics. The meeting will be at 110 Pleasant Street (3rd Floor-Washington Street Entrance). 

The meeting will focus on increasing community engagement about several specific topics, including the upcoming Malden River Festival, an existing public access violation along the Malden River, and Tri-CAP’s current summer youth project about stormwater runoff.  With each topic, Tri-CAP hopes to generate community involvement to improve conditions in and along the Malden River.  The meeting is part of Tri-CAP’s ongoing Mystic River Watershed Environmental Justice Initiative. This initiative seeks to raise community awareness and increase community capacity to address environmental justice issues related to the Mystic River Watershed, especially those issues disproportionately affecting low-income and minority residents of the Tri-Cities.  Improved water quality and riverfront public access are the two principal topics within this initiative.

The meeting will build on several river-related projects organized by Tri-CAP over the last two years such as “The Malden River Was Here” mural in Coytemore Lea Park (2011); the Beebe School wet-meadow restoration project at Fellsmere Pond (2011); the Malden River documentary film project (2010); Mystic Community Earth Day in Malden (2010 and 2011); the First Annual Malden River Festival at the Park at River’s Edge (2010); and many others. 

All members of the community are invited to attend, and light refreshments will be served.  Interested residents can RSVP by calling (781) 322-4125 x237 or emailing ncohen@tri-cap.org. An RSVP is not required to attend.

Tri-CAP serves as the anti-poverty agency for the cities of Malden, Medford, and Everett, as well as the surrounding communities.  Tri-CAP’s environmental justice project is a recent initiative, started in 2009, as part of the eight-organization Mystic River Watershed Collaborative.  Access to clean water and environmentally safe public open space are quality of life and health issues that resonate with Tri-CAP’s mission.

Citizen Water Chestnut Hand-pulling Event: August 13

Volunteers remove water chestnuts from the Mystic.Final event of the year!

Saturday, August 13th, 8:00 AM – Noon

Will you help us break our record?

Last year our end-of-year water chestnut harvest yielded 372 baskets.

This year we want to harvest 500 baskets of water chestnut for our final event!

Please sign up online and help us out with what will be a fun and productive morning on the water.

On Saturday, August 13th, 2011, Groundwork Somerville, with support from the Mystic River Watershed Association and the Friends of the Mystic River, will host a community event focusing on the removal of invasive water chestnut from the Mystic River. Using canoes, kayaks, and small boats, volunteers will pull water chestnuts out of the water by hand and then deposit the harvested plants at a designated shore site.  Volunteers who have canoes or kayaks are encouraged to bring their own. If you need a boat, we will provide a boat for you by counting needed boats through the registration process.

Volunteers should meet at 8:00 AM at the old DCR boat ramp adjacent to 75 South Street in Medford, MA.  A limited amount of parking is available on South Street; additional parking is available on nearby Curtis Street, Maple Ave, Touro Ave, and Manning Street. 

If you have any questions, please contact jonathan@groundworksomerville.org or patrick@mysticriver.org. 

Boaters are required to use life preservers/personal flotation devices (PFD’s).

Immediately following the hand-pulling event, lunch and refreshments will be available for volunteers at the put-in site.

Learn more about water chestnuts at www.mysticriver.org/invasive-species/.  

Beautiful Evening for a Canoe Tour

27 people enjoyed a canoe trip as part of the Mystic River Watershed Urban Trail Map and Activity Guide. Departing from the Blessing of the Bay boathouse in Somerville, attendees headed upstream, passing swans, mallards, great blue heron and Canadian geese. Along the way features such as water lily, phragmites, and water chestnut were highlighted in addition to learning about the history of this industrial, once tidal river.

Canoes were generously provided by Charles River Canoe and Kayak.

Thanks to all who participated and to our guides Kevin and Nate from Charles River Canoe and Kayak!

Everett's 3rd annual Mystic River Festival

On Saturday, August 6th head over to Village Landing Park in Everett between 1pm and 5pm to enjoy the 3rd annual Mystic River Festival. This event is organized by La Comunidad, Inc.

Food! Music! Children's Entertainment & more! (children bring a bathing suit)
For more information call Maria Alamo or Antonio Amaya at 617-387-9996

Village Landing Park located at 135 Santilli Hwy, Everett, MA 02149.