In 1996, the Massachusetts Riverways Program established a special program focusing on Urban Rivers. The program recognizes the potential of these often overlooked waterways and their value as natural resources in the midst of a built environment. It is our belief urban rivers can and should play a significant role in improving the livability of our cities while recognizing the inherent challenges of urban river restoration.

Urban River’s mission is to help people see the potential in their rivers to be an amenity, rather than a liability, to the community. The Urban Rivers Program provides resources to help address the unique challenges and varied needs of urban rivers and their stewards. Assistance is tailored to the needs of each urban area to help each community revitalize, restore and protect their waterways. Most importantly the program hopes to advance the public’s understanding of and enthusiasm for urban rivers. 

The possible projects and needs are as varied as the rivers flowing through, and under, our cities. Urban Rivers can assist a neighborhood to develop restoration goals and a plan for their river or help tackle a modest first step such as finding a way to open up a view of their river. Urban Rivers staff can help with larger planning projects, assist with project review or provide training to interested citizen on a variety of environmental topics. Below are a few examples of Urban Rivers assistance:

• Created a Chelsea Creek History Brochure and walking tour to reintroduce the community to their hidden river.
• Helped plan and institute a water quality monitoring initiative on the Mystic River in Somerville
• Facilitated River Master Planning charrettes and plans in Fitchburg (poster and plans), Waltham, and Adams
• Participated on Comparative Risk Assessment for Chelsea Creek
• Assisted advocates with the review of and comments on numerous projects and permits
• Trainings and assistance on
  • the MEPA process and other permitting issues
  • NPDES discharge permits
  • Water quality
  • Stormwater, combined sewer overflows, and wastewater
  • Daylighting buried streams
  • Fisheries and habitat restoration
• Urban River Fellows (when funding is available)
• Urban River Grants (when funding is available)