The Return of the Floating Wetland

On a sunny Friday (March 14), The ECG joined the Charles River Conservancy in welcoming the Floating Wetland’s return to its summer home in the lower basin of the Charles, downriver from the Longfellow Bridge and almost right in front of the Esplanade. During the winter months the Floating Wetland is tucked into its resting spot at the MIT Pavilion where water circulators prevent ice from building up.

In partnership with MassDCR, the CRC installed a floating wetland in the Charles River in Cambridge downriver of the Longfellow Bridge. Check out Lessons Learned from the Charles River’s First Floating Wetland for more in-depth information that details the project from idea to installation. During the island’s first three years, a Northeastern research group, led by Max Rome, collected data to understand the wetland’s impact on the local ecology. That work is published in the dissertation, From Water Quality to River Health, McNamara Buck Rome (2022). The CRC has used the wetland to engage youth and the community in understanding the ecology of the river and ways that we can all help make it a healthy and vibrant ecosystem.

As interest in the project has grown, the CRC has been exploring other opportunities for an expanded installation of other Floating Wetlands. And we, as residents of the Esplanade, have the privilege of following ‘ours’ through the spring, summer, and autumn months! Watch as it becomes green, blooms, and attracts attention throughout its time with us!

Write up and pictures by Jane Hilburt-Davis