Charles River Natural Valley Storage Area

Nature-Based Climate Resilience for Boston & Beyond

Introduction

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

Normal conditions vs. flooding on Causeway Street, Medfield in 2010 (CRWA Archives)

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.

NVSA Welcome Sign, Millis (Julia Hopkins)

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. 

History of the NVSA

Flooded Longmeadow Cricket Courts, 1955 ( New England Historical Society )

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.

Rita Barron: NVSA Visionary

Rita Barron, CRWA's Executive Director (CRWA Archives)

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 ).

Location of the NVSA

 NVSA Draft Master Plan , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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? 

1

The Natural Valley Storage Area

Flood Control for the Charles River Watershed

2

NVSA in Upper Watershed

Bellingham, Franklin, Holliston, Medway, Norfolk, Wrentham

3

NVSA in Upper Middle Watershed

Dover, Medfield, Millis, Natick, Sherborn, Walpole

4

NVSA in Lower Middle Watershed

Boston, Dedham, Newton, Needham, Weston, Wellesley

Why Wetlands?

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

Why wetlands?

Wetlands act as natural sponges for flood waters. When a storm hits, the soil and plants in a wetland help soak up excess water. 

Why wetlands?

After the storm ends, they slowly release it back into the watershed. This is an important benefit to help manage rain from more frequent, intense storms driven by climate change. 

Why wetlands?

Not only does the NVSA help reduce flooding in the cities and towns along its banks, but it also provides vital protection for downstream communities as far as Boston. Our wetlands are essential for protecting our most vulnerable, flood prone areas.

Why wetlands?

They do a whole lot more too. Wetlands help filter out pollution from the water that flows through them. 

Why wetlands?

They are a place to live for many species of fish and wildlife. 

Why wetlands?

And, they can be places for people to enjoy fishing and boating. 

Learn more about wetlands!

How a "Swamp Kit" saved over 8,000 acres of wetlands

Threats

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

Threats to NVSA

In the towns and cities around the NVSA, more buildings are being built and parking lots paved.

Threats to NVSA

This can hurt the NVSA because more development more pollution flows directly into the Charles, affecting plants and wildlife in the wetlands.  

Threats to NVSA

It also means there are more people, so there is more demand for water. This can reduce the amount of water in the NVSA needed to keep the fish and wildlife who call it home healthy.

Threats to NVSA

Another threat is invasive plant species. These are plants that take over an area and can harm the wetland ecosystem. Invasive species grow quickly  and outcompete native plants, reducing habitat for wildlife and stealing the sunlight.

Threats to NVSA

Oriental bittersweet vines are an invasive species found in the NVSA. These vines grow on tall trees and eventually kill them.

Threats to NVSA

This is a problem because trees are important for helping absorb flood waters and acting as natural filters to remove pollution, in addition to providing cooling shade and habitat for wildlife.

CRWA's Commitment

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:

Our Work

Completing plant, bug and fish surveys in the NVSA.

Our Work

Educating people about the NVSA and working with them to collect data on the plants and animals that live there.

Our Work

Removing Oriental bittersweet to restore tree health in the NVSA.

Your Place in the NVSA

How You Can Help Protect and Restore It


NVSA wetlands naturally storing flood water after a week of intense rain in Medfield (Julia Hopkins)

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

Normal conditions vs. flooding on Causeway Street, Medfield in 2010 (CRWA Archives)

NVSA Welcome Sign, Millis (Julia Hopkins)

Flooded Longmeadow Cricket Courts, 1955 ( New England Historical Society )

Rita Barron, CRWA's Executive Director (CRWA Archives)

 NVSA Draft Master Plan , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

NVSA wetlands naturally storing flood water after a week of intense rain in Medfield (Julia Hopkins)