Charles River Archives

crew team hold boat next to the charles river

‘We were lucky’: How two Northeastern coaches rescued a driver from the Charles River

Trevor Appier and Beatrice Sims were coaching the men’s rowing team Monday night in the dark of the Charles River when they turned to see a car vaulting Memorial Drive and plunging nose-first into the water. Their actions over the next five minutes saved the driver’s life.

by Ian Thomsen September 28, 2021

Get ahead of the Head of the Charles

Some of the best rowers in the world will descend upon Boston this weekend for the 55th Head of the Charles Regatta. But how much…

by Cam Sleeper October 17, 2019

This is the course 11,000 athletes will row for the Head of the Charles Regatta

The Head of the Charles Regatta, one of the world’s largest and foremost rowing events, launches this weekend. The event attracts more than 11,000 athletes—including…

by Tyler Machado and Eunice Esomonu October 16, 2019

You love that dirty water. But how dirty is it really?

In 1965, the water in the Charles River was so dirty that The Standells wrote a song about it. Now the “Dirty Water” Boston sports fans have come to love could soon host its first public swimming site, which is being tested by a Northeastern researcher.

by Lia Petronio August 30, 2018

Take 5: Watch high-flying hot dog cruise into the Charles River

Red Bull Flugtag, a demonstration in aviation experimentation, is coming to Boston Saturday. Here are five things you need to know about this unique event, including some quirky facts about the Northeastern team that will be competing as well as its flying hot dog. That’s right…flying hot dog.

by Joe O'Connell August 19, 2016

3Qs: Why you should not love that dirty water

A recent outbreak of blue-green algae in the Charles River prompted officials to issue a health advisory. Here, water quality expert Ferdi Hellweger explains how this setback could impact the efforts to make the Charles River swimmable.

by Joe O'Connell August 19, 2015

Take 5: Head of the Charles

Here are five things you should know about this weekend’s Head of the Charles and Northeastern’s storied history in the annual regatta.

by Joe O'Connell October 18, 2013

Swimming in that ‘dirty’ water?

Ferdi Hellweger, an associate professor of environmental engineering, was awarded the Environmental Merit Award by the EPA in recognition of his work to make the Charles River swimmable once again.

by Angela Herring April 20, 2012

Charles River