271 Oak St. Uxbridge, MA 01569 508.278.5200
Director, President: Joanne Holahan
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The Blackstone River Watershed Association’s mission is to engage, educate and advocate to improve water quality in the Blackstone River Watershed.
To achieve this we:
- Engage the public in watershed stewardship activities,
- Educate members, supporters, and residents on watershed protection strategies, and
- Advocate to local residents, community leaders, non-profit partners, and state regulators to take actions that will help to ensure our waterways continue to provide healthy habitat and enjoyable recreational opportunities.
The Blackstone River Watershed Association (BRWA) has been protecting the Blackstone and its tributaries for more than 40 years. Driven by the dedication of its board leaders, members and partners, the organization has been instrumental in protecting the health and continued improvement of the Blackstone River watershed. A watershed is an area of land over which rain and snow melt flow to a particular water body. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which was created in 1971, focuses its activities on “mid-section” of the watershed, primarily on the Blackstone, Mill, Mumford, and West Rivers, located in 12 towns (see map).
The Blackstone River helped the Valley earn the designation of the “Birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution” when nineteeth century settlers harnessed its natural water power. The mighty Blackstone supplied hydropower, water, and disposal venues for mills producing thread, cloth, dyed materials, hats, rubber, wire, and machinery. By the early 1900s the status of being “America’s hardest working river” took its toll on its ecosystems.
Fortunately the Blackstone has made a significant recovery from the burden of being an industrial river and its water quality and esthetics continue to improve and provide us with greater environmental and recreational benefits. However, the river and its tributaries still face significant threats, predominately from land development and use practices and contaminated stormwater runoff and the BRWA’s work is still as important and necessary as ever.
The BRWA is committed to engaging, educating, and advocating for improved water quality. Our success is directly influenced by its board of directors, members and partners. Board meetings are held monthly at River Bend Farm (see the Events Calendar for details). All are welcome. If you are not currently a member, please consider joining us to help protect the Blackstone!
Water Quality Monitoring
The Blackstone River Watershed Association is in its thirteenth year of participating in the Blackstone River Coalition Watershed-wide Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program. With responsibility for 28 monitoring sites between Grafton and the Rhode Island border, the Blackstone River Watershed Association has been a major partner in this monitoring project that reaches 75 sites throughout the Watershed. More