A Pilot Project for the Charles River
The Lower Charles River is a typical urban basin, where hard edges have replaced vegetation. The Charles River Floating Wetland reintroduces native plants to increase habitat diversity and support the tiny animals (zooplankton) that graze on fast-growing algae.
Download our narrative project description.
Download our narrative project description.
Our Goals
- Create a visually impactful wetland installation that will enliven the river.
- Research the impact of improved habitat on zooplankton species distribution and mean body size.
- Engage and educate the public about the relationship between river ecology, pollution, and water quality.
The Floating Wetland is anchored on the Cambridge side of the river between the Longfellow Bridge and the Museum of Science.
A Home for Native Plants
The floating wetland is planted with 19 native wetland species including sedges, bullrush, flowering perennials, and wetland shrubs. Plants like rose mallow, sweet flag, and milkweed are arranged to create a unique floating garden and attract both human and non-human visitors. Throughout our study, we will monitor the plants to understand which species succeed in this novel environment.
Take a look at our planting plan.
Take a look at our planting plan.
A Swimmable Future
|
As recently as the 1950s the banks of the Charles River were a public space where, during the hottest days of the summer, families of all incomes and backgrounds gathered to swim and cool down. Generations of pollution and urban development degraded this public amenity. For decades the river was unsafe for human contact, but work by federal and state agencies and advocates have greatly improved the water quality. Our hope is that this project will contribute to the restoration of the Charles River and that this installation will help visitors to imagine a future in which plantings and restored ecology lead the way to a river that is healthy, safe, and swimmable.
|
1923 Girls at the Charles River Carnival (c) Leslie Jones
|