Currently swimming is not permitted anywhere on the lower Charles River (from the Watertown Dam to the New Charles River Dam). The Conservancy is working to change this by advocating for the development of a public access swimming site on the Charles River.
2011 marks the second summer of daily water quality testing at sites along the Charles River Basin
Click here to find out more:
- History
- Swimmable Charles Working Group
- Charles River Water Quality Commission
- November 2011 Water Quality Workshop
- October 2010 Water Quality Workshop
To get involved or for more information about the Swimmable Charles Initiative, contact Swimmable Charles Coordinator, Karen Patterson Green at kpg@thecharles.org.
Sponsors of the Swimmable Charles Initiative
...and thank you also to the Cabot Family Charitable Foundation!
Annual Charles River One Mile Swim
In 2005 the Charles River Swimming Club was formed to sponsor an annual swim race in the Charles River. Three races have been held successfully, in 2007, 2008, and 2011. Unfortunately, in 2006, 2009 and 2010 the races were cancelled due to potential or actual water quality concerns. To learn more about the race or register to swim, visit the Charles River Swimming Club .
All projects are conducted in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
