Charles River Natural Valley Storage Area

Climate change is here. And it’s scary. Across the watershed, we are already seeing more intense storms, severe flooding and prolonged drought.

What if we could work with nature to be more resilient in the face of climate change? We can! It starts in our own backyards.

Enter the Charles River Natural Valley Storage Area (NVSA). This ~8,100-acre network of protected wetlands across sixteen communities has the power to store floodwaters, act as a habitat for fish and wildlife, and create fun for anyone who likes boating, fishing, and enjoying nature.

Let's dive into the history of the NVSA and learn why it’s a great example of natural climate resilience, the many threats it faces, and how you can take action to protect the NVSA. 

Let’s go back to August 1955. In a span of two days, two different storms – Hurricane Connie and Hurricane Diane – dumped 20 inches of rain on Boston and nearby cities and towns, leading to terrible flooding.

This was the first natural disaster in Massachusetts that caused more than $1 billion in damage. In fact, more than 100,000 people lost their jobs because of this damage.

After the storm, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed building dams to help prevent future flooding. But Rita Barron had another idea.

Rita was Executive Director of Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA). She had a bolder idea for flood control: work with nature by protecting wetlands that can naturally store flood waters. Her proposal which created the NVSA was approved in 1974.

From 1977 to 1983, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bought the 8,100 acres of wetlands that make up the NVSA. In total, they spent $8.3 million. Since NVSA was created, it has prevented about $12 million in flood damages (Source:  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District ).

So, where can you find the NVSA? These 8,100 acres sit across sixteen cities and towns near the Charles River.

The NVSA touches: Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Franklin, Holliston, Needham, Sherborn, Bellingham, Dedham, Dover, Medway, Newton, Wrentham, Walpole, Natick and Boston.

The areas shaded in red show where the NVSA is in each of these cities and towns.

Is your town on this list? If not, what is the closest area of the NVSA to where you live? 

Healthy wetland ecosystems are vital to plants, animals, and people who call the Charles home.

The NVSA needs our protection from climate change and over-development.

Even though NVSA wetlands are protected, there is much about them we do not understand. CRWA is working to learn more about water quality and invasive species in the NVSA – and the plants and animals that call the area home. 

Thanks to funding from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, CRWA is:

Credits: This story was produced by Ashley Desrosiers, Julia Hopkins and Lisa Kumpf.