Our People

Abby McCarthy

Water Quality Program Manager

WaterScience@oars3rivers.org (978) 369-3956

Service & Expertise

Bilingual Communication
Community Engagement
Data Visualization
Hydrologic Moderling
Water Monitoring

Abby joined OARS as Water Quality Program Manager in 2025. Before joining OARS, she conducted river and hydrothermal monitoring in Yellowstone National Park and earned her Master’s in Earth Science from Syracuse University, where she developed a remote sensing method to assess flood risk and taught undergraduate courses on water and geohazards. Abby has led hydrology and groundwater research in Kansas and Oregon, worked with the Kansas Geological Survey and the American Geophysical Union’s Hydrology Student Committee, and brings expertise in data analysis, GIS, and community engagement. She is fluent in Spanish and passionate about making river science accessible to all.

~30%

of the SuAsCo rivers watershed is wetlands, crucial for wildlife habitat and water quality

~30%

of water samples in the SuAsCo rivers watershed contain PFAS, leading to increased monitoring and remediation by local authorities and environmental groups

~70%

of dams in the SuAsCo watershed are over a century old, requiring extensive upkeep and presenting obstacles to river restoration and fish passage

>40%

of the land within the watershed is publicly accessible, offering recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating, and birdwatching to the community

~15%

of the land in the SuAsCo rivers watershed is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots. This contributes to stormwater runoff and water pollution issues

>40%

of the land within the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers watershed is publicly accessible, providing endless opportunities for paddling, hiking, and wildlife exploration.

Our People

Abby McCarthy