The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) have received a grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust that will enable the two organizations to work together to improve water quality impaired by stormwater runoff in the Mystic and Charles River watersheds. The project will address improving the quality of the watersheds by identifying and removing pollution caused by stormwater (non-point source pollution) that threatens public and aquatic health. The three-year project will identify potential sources of non-point source pollution through visual surveys conducted by volunteers, track and monitor suspected ‘hot spots’ through water quality testing, support remediation of pollution problems, guide water quality enforcement, and provide public education and knowledge transfer. MyRWA will be surveying the Aberjona River, Little River, Malden River, Winterhill Brook, Sickle Brook, Munroe Brook, Mill Brook, Ell Pond, Spy Pond, Winter Pond, Belle Isle Marsh, the Upper Mystic Lake, Chelsea Creek, and Mill Creek.

Get Involved:

• Join a stream team in your neighborhood and complete a shoreline survey.
• Mark storm drains in your neighborhood to prevent dumping.
• Monitor construction sites for polluting activities.
• Host a nonpoint source education house party for your neighborhood.
• Become a water quality monitor.
• Write letters to the editor about nonpoint source pollution issues.
• Educate children about nonpoint source pollution.
• Participate in a cleanup.
• Take a Healthy Waters Pledge.
• Educate businesses about nonpoint source pollution.

Report a problem:
Have you seen illegal dumping, pipes that run during dry weather, or other nonpoint source issues in the watershed? Report it to the Mystic River Watershed Association or your municipality’s citizen tip line (click here).

Learn more:

• Find It and Fix It Press Release (11/10/2005)
• Go to MyRWA’s stormwater web pages for more information on nonpoint source pollution.
• Read previous shoreline surveys.

For volunteers:
Download the shoreline survey.

Updates:

• Chelsea Creek: surveyed spring 2006
• Mill Creek: surveyed spring 2006
• Spy Pond: surveyed spring 2006
• Mill Brook: surveyed spring 2006
• Munroe Brook: surveyed spring 2006
• Little River: surveyed spring 2006
• Fessenden Brook: surveyed spring 2006
• Alewife Brook: surveyed spring 2006

Reports:

• 2007 Chlorophyll a and Nutrient Study: In August and September of 2007, MyRWA collected data on nutrients and Chlorophyll a, an indicator of algae concentrations in the water, at 27 sites in the Mystic River watershed. This report contains an analysis of the data collected and recommendations for further investigations. Report Appendix
• Chelsea Creek, Mill Creek, and Island End River Recommendations for Action

Photos:

Big tire near Chelsea Creek	Chelsea Creek pipe	Nadav near outfall pipe	Salt pile on Chelsea Creek
Mill Brook, Arlington	Sewer with toilet paper and tampon, Mill Brook	Silt buildup at Island End River

Find It and Fix It is funded by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust