Charles River

:For the UK monkey importation facility that was run by Charles River, see Shamrock Farm.

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The Charles River is a small, relatively short Massachusetts (USA) river that separates Boston from Cambridge and Charlestown. It is fed by some 80 brooks and streams, and several major aquifers, as it flows snakelike for 80 miles, starting at Echo Lake in Hopkinton, through 58 cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts, before emptying into Boston Harbor. Its watershed contains 33 lakes and ponds, mostly manmade. Despite the river's length, and relatively large drainage area (308 square miles), its source is only 26 miles from its mouth, and the river drops only 350 feet from source to sea. It is the most densely populated river basin in New England.

Related Topics:
Massachusetts - USA - River - Boston - Cambridge - Charlestown - Hopkinton

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Harvard University, Boston University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are all located along the Charles River; at Boston proper it opens out into a broad basin and is lined by parks such as the Charles River Esplanade (in which stands the Hatch Shell where concerts are given in summer evenings). The river is well known for its rowing, sculling, and sailing, both recreational and competitive. The Head of the Charles Regatta is held annually, in October.

Related Topics:
Harvard University - Boston University - Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Boston - Charles River Esplanade - Hatch Shell - Rowing - Sculling - Sailing - Head of the Charles Regatta - October

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Despite its famous water pollution, making the Charles "Swimmable by 2005" became an important EPA goal1. While this promise was not reached in time, swimming and fishing are progressively re-emerging as about 90% of the length of the river is now considered safe for swimming2. Health risks remain however, particularly after rainstorms and when walking in certain riverbeds stirs up toxic sediment.

Related Topics:
Water pollution - EPA - 1

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