by Sarah Kwan, Director of Communications & Development, OARS | June 31, 2024

In a momentous achievement for environmental conservation, OARS, the watershed organization for the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord rivers, has successfully restored a significant portion of the Concord River to swimmable status. This milestone was celebrated on June 18, 2024, with a special event and community swim at the Bedford Boat Launch, marking a historic return to the waters for local residents.

The celebration coincided with the unveiling of their 2023 3 Rivers Report Card, which assigned a health grade of B- to the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers. This grade is a testament to the dedicated efforts of OARS and its partners in improving water quality, connectivity, and wildlife habitat over the years. As Ben Wetherill, OARS Water Quality Scientist, presented the report card, the designation of the Upper Concord River as “suitable for swimming” was met with cheers and a jubilant plunge into the river by community members.

This event is not only a triumph for local environmental efforts but also resonates on a global scale as the world turns its attention to the Paris 2024 Olympics. After a $1.5 billion cleanup, the Seine River recently hosted Olympic swimmers for the first time in a century, highlighting the power of dedicated conservation work to revive urban waterways. Similar to Paris, where swimmers are once again diving into the Seine, the return of swimming to the Concord River underscores the impact of persistent, science-based river management.

Alison Field-Juma, OARS Policy Advisor, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “It is the most tangible and readily understood proof that our years of work to make our rivers ‘fishable and swimmable’, always OARS’ goal and raison d’être, has paid off. It would have been unthinkable some decades ago.”

Local residents, such as Ralph Hammond, have witnessed this transformation firsthand. “I grew up on the Concord River… The last time I swam in the Concord River was over 70 years ago. Today is the first time since then that I have seen children swimming in the Concord River. I think this is a huge achievement,” Hammond remarked, reflecting on the river’s revitalization.

The success of the Concord River cleanup mirrors the efforts seen in Paris, where the Seine’s cleanup enabled it to host the swimming portion of the women’s individual triathlon at the Olympics. Both events underscore a growing global recognition of the importance of clean, healthy rivers for community recreation and ecological health.

Matt Brown, OARS Executive Director, highlighted the broader implications of this success: “When OARS was founded, nobody would have considered swimming here… This event marks a huge success, and hopefully, someday, we’ll be swimming in the sections of the river that didn’t make the grade this time around.”

The OARS 3 Rivers Report Card is a scientifically rigorous assessment that provides a clear picture of the health of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers. While there is still work to be done to achieve “fishable and swimmable” conditions throughout the entire watershed, this year’s report card represents a significant step forward in reaching that goal.

As the world celebrates the return of swimming to urban rivers in Paris and Concord, these stories serve as powerful reminders of the positive impact of environmental stewardship. The dedication of organizations like OARS continues to inspire communities to reclaim and restore their natural waterways for future generations.

For more information on the 2023 3 Rivers Report Card and OARS’ ongoing efforts, please visit oars3rivers.org

About OARS

OARS is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, improving, and preserving the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers and their watershed for all people and wildlife. Established in 1986, OARS leads the way in river conservation through advocacy, science, and community engagement.

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INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sarah Kwan, Director of Communications & Development | 978·369·3956 | Skwan@oars3rivers.org