Connecticut River Watershed Council

CONTACT:

15 Bank Row
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 772-2020
www.ctriver.org

Chelsea Reiff Gwyther, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

The Connecticut River is New England’s longest river, rising near the Canadian border and descending 410 miles, through four States, to empty into Long Island Sound. When it became evident almost half a century ago that action was needed to save the River, philanthropy came to the rescue.

CRWC was founded in 1952. No other private organization or public agency has the entire watershed’s protection as its sole mission, which is very broad: not only to improve water quality and conserve natural resources, but to promote the well-being of the Valley’s communities with a sustainable economy. Its long-term goal is to establish and house the Connecticut River Center, including a water quality testing facility, a Geographic Information System mapping center, and a library of 3,500 publications and reports.

Through its Connecticut River Fisheries Restoration Initiative, CRWC has marshalled the resources and technical assistance of the federal and state government to install 5 fishways, 3 eelways, 1 weir, and helped to pull 3 dams in the watershed. It has made a long-term commitment to restoring the fishery and spawning habitat that has been blocked for 100 years.

CRWC moved into its new home -- an historic courthouse in Greenfield, MA -- four years ago. It has completed some renovation, but more needs to be done, including work to the bottom floor for a water quality laboratory. Funding is now needed to support its River Stewards, underwrite its Fisheries Restoration Initiative, and establish the River Center.

(2000: NATURE: Environment: Land, Air, Water, Climate)