The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Thank you for supporting our mission. Photo courtesy of Al Braden Hydropower Relicensing 5 hydroelectric facilities on the Connecticut River are in the process of relicensing. This page includes background and historical information, along with updates as they develop. The most recent milestone is that the Connecticut River Conservancy and co-appellant partners have challenged the Water Quality Certifications in NH, VT, and MA for all 5 hydropower projects undergoing relicensing on the Connecticut River. This legal process is continuing into 2026. We have been involved in the relicensing process for over a decade with the aim of getting the best possible outcome for our rivers, wildlife, and communities. The process is not complete until there is a new license in place. Read on for all the details. Hydroelectric facilities use a public trust resource – your river – to produce power. In exchange for this privilege and to mitigate for impacts of the dams, FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) r equires that hydropower operators provide direct benefits to the public and be protective of the ecological health of the river. The license serves as a public contract that we revisit periodically to examine the impact of the facility on our public trust resource. Latest Hydro News Comments Submitted for Draft Environmental Impact Statements in Hydropower Relicensing FERC Publishes Draft Environmental Impact Statements for Five Hydropower Facilities Environmental Nonprofits File Appeal of VT and NH Water Quality Certifications for Hydropower Facilities The Connecticut River Advocacy Fund CRC has appealed the Clean Water Act §401 Water Quality Certifications in VT, NH, and MA to make sure that the state agencies do their job and protect our river for the next several decades. Your contribution is critical for the Connecticut River’s future. Wins in this court process will result in specific requirements that are written into the federal licenses impacting 175 miles of the river. Support the Advocacy Fund Public Comments Read the Draft Env. Impact Statements. The comment period has passed. Learn More 401 Water Quality Certification Details about the Water Quality Certifications issues by MA, VT, and NH. Learn More Relicensing Overview Get the key details to understand what's at stake for our rivers. Start Here Hydro Resources Learn more about hydropower and related state & federal processes. Learn More Sign Up for Hydro Email Updates We have a hydropower-specific email list to notify you as milestones happen or new resources become available. If you're not already on it, take a moment to sign up here and then return to this page. Five Hydro Facilities Now! The heart of the Connecticut River’s next 50 years. Since late 2012, five hydroelectric facilities in the heart of the Connecticut River have been in the process of renewing their operating licenses in a process known as relicensing. The licenses for two facilities in northern MA and three dams in southern VT and NH will endure for the next 30-50 years and impact more than 175 miles of the Connecticut River. It’s critical that we all speak up NOW in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to influence these operating licenses. The three dams at Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon in New Hampshire and Vermont are owned by Great River Hydro (formerly TransCanada), a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec whose sole shareholder is the Government of Quebec. The two Massachusetts facilities, Turners Falls Dam and Northfield Mountain Pump Storage Project, are now separate LLCs under FirstLight Power Services LLC , owned by PSP Investments, one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last issued licenses for these facilities over forty years ago and all five licenses initially expired in April, 2018. Comments by local communities, the states, individuals, and other stakeholders provide a rare opportunity to improve the health of our river. The current relicensing process for these five hydropower facilities will dramatically affect the health of the river and watershed for generations to come. The public has had numerous opportunities to formally submit comments to the the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), however the deadline for these has now passed. CRC River Stewards Kathy Urffer (VT), Kate Buckman (NH through 2024), Marilla Harris-Vincent (NH starting 2025), and Nina Gordon-Kirsch (MA) are participating in all the formal proceedings related to this relicensing effort. They review reports, prepare CRC comments, and are working to engage the public in the process. They are glad to answer any of your questions or speak to your group about the relicensing. Both Great River Hydro and FirstLight submitted amended final license applications (AFLAs) in December 2020. And on February 22nd, 2024, FERC released a public notice indicating that the Turner’s Falls , Northfield Mountain , Vernon , Bellows Falls , and Wilder hydroelectric project applications have been accepted and are ready for environmental analysis. Link on the project name to see their respective notice. This opened a 60-day comment period through April 22nd, which was then further extended to May 22nd, 2025. This also initiated the Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification clock and gave the companies 60 days to file an application with the state to apply for a water quality certificate. Next Steps: This process is not complete until new licenses are in place, which means there is still more to do. We are now in the next phase of the relicensing, which are the state 401 Water Quality Certifications + federal Draft Environmental Statements. Read more about the 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) here. Read CRC's announcements about appeals to state WQCs in Massachusetts , and Vermont/New Hampshire. Read the Draft Environmental Impact Statements issued by FERC . Read the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Turners Falls Hydroelectric Project (P-1889-085) and Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project (P-2485-071). Support the Connecticut River Advocacy Fund to empower CRC in the courtroom. A Public Trust Resource Refers to the public trust doctrine that recognizes the public right to many natural resources including "the air, running water, the sea and it's shore." The doctrine requires a state to hold in trust designated resources for the benefit of the people, regardless or private property ownership. Connecticut River Conservancy's Role: CRC’s desired outcomes and priority areas where we are actively advocating for change include: Safe, timely, and effective upstream and downstream fish passage Operational changes at the dams to minimize both upstream and downstream surface water fluctuations to reduce bank erosion and impacts to rare and threatened species Healthy aquatic habitat for river critters Seasonally appropriate minimum flows in the river channel Ecologically compatible and accessible recreational facilities Protection and interpretation of historic and archeological resources Equal consideration of Indigenous People’s traditional cultural properties Hydro Relicensing and the 401 Water Quality Certification: States & Federal Have a Parallel Process All hydroelectric facilities must also apply for and receive within 12 months a Water Quality Certification (WQC) from the state that that facility is located in. Anything the states require in this certificate will automatically be included in the final FERC license. Great River Hydro and FirstLight applied for their 401 WQ Certifications in April 2024, so the states used the following year to conduct public information sessions, issue a draft WQ Certification, and in most cases held a formal public comment period to receive comments on the draft. Read CRC's latest hydropower eblasts: 2/14/26 9/14/25 7/14/25 6/13/25 5/28/25 401 Water Quality Certification This refers to the Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) in which a federal agency (in this case the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission - FERC) may not issue a license to hydro facilities for a discharge from the hydro plant into public waters unless the state or authorized tribe issues a Section 401 water quality certification verifying that the discharge will comply with existing water quality requirements, or waives the certification requirement. After the states issued Water Quality Certifications in April 2025, the Connecticut River Conservancy and co-appellant partners have filed appeals in Massachusetts , Vermont, and New Hampshire challenging the Water Quality Certifications issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC), and, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) for not going far enough to protect the Connecticut River. As of this update in early 2026, each state is proceeding through their own process. We have a trial date set for Vermont in late summer and are working through a process to come to some agreement or narrow the issues that would go to trial in MA. The appeal process in NH will not begin for at least six months due to a backlog in that docket. Links to the 2025 WQC's can be found here: New Hampshire: Read the Final 401 WQC for Wilder Dam Read the Final 401 WQC for Bellows Falls Dam Read the Final 401 WQC for Vernon Dam Read NHDES' Responses to Comments and Substantive and Minor Revisions Vermont: Read the Final 401 WQC for Wilder Dam Read the Final 401 WQC for Vernon Dam Read the Final 401 WQC for Bellows Falls Dam Massachusetts: Read the Final 401 for the Turners Falls Dam & Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station CRC's previously submitted comments on the state 401 Water Quality Certifications are below: For GRH Projects in Vermont: Comments on the application for the VT 401 Water Quality Certification for Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon (submitted on 10/1/24) can be found here. Comments on the VT draft 401 Water Quality Certification for Wilder (submitted on 2/6/25) can be found here. Comments on the VT draft 401 Water Quality Certification for Bellows Falls (submitted on 2/26/25) can be found here. Comments on the VT draft 401 Water Quality Certification for Vernon (submitted on 3/16/25) can be found here. For GRH Projects in New Hampshire: Comments on the application for the NH 401 Water Quality Certification for Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon (submitted on 1/31/25) can be found here. Final comments on NH 401 Water Quality Certification for Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon (submitted on 4/11/25) can be found here. For FirstLight Projects in Massachusetts: Comments on the application for the MA 401 Water Quality Certification (submitted on 6/3/24) can be found here. Letter to MassDEP regarding shortnose sturgeon and hydropower (sent on 12/5/24) Read the MA draft 401 Water Quality Certification (issued by MA DEP 1/24/25) here. Comments on the MassDEP 401 Water Quality Certification draft (submitted on 2/24/25). CRC has also made dedicated brochures for each state, which you can find here for Vermont , New Hampshire , and Massachusetts . Public comments submitted to the state during this process can have a positive impact on the long-term benefits for the river! You can learn more about this process in each state here: Vermont New Hampshire Massachusetts CRC's 2024 Livestream about the Water Quality Certification Process We have a hydropower-specific email list to notify you as milestones happen or new resources become available. If you're not already on it, take a moment to sign up here. Video Summary of the VT/NH Se ction of the River The LiveStream below with CRC's Director of Policy and Advocacy, Kathy Urffer, was recorded prior to the comment periods or issuance of Water Quality Certifications, the Fish Passage Settlement Agreement, and the sale of Great River Hydro to HydroQuebec, however the key details remain accurate and it describes the proposed operational change agreed to in 2020. Videos About Our Concerns Recreation Erosion Hydropower Resources Full License Applications submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): Great River Hydro : Open “80-Amended-Final-License-Applications-AFLA” folder. Most information is in “Exhibit E.” CRC was concerned with information lacking in the AFLA so we submitted comments to FERC in January 2021. FirstLight : Executive Summary Table ES-1 shows inflated cost amounts that include a hidden expected energy revenue loss, whereas Exhibit D for the two facilities show lower costs. Otherwise, the Executive Summary is a concise summary of what the application package includes. CRC was concerned with information lacking in the AFLA so we submitted comments to FERC in January 2021. Stay informed! Subscribe to the FERC docket using the project number (eg. Northfield Mountain Pump Station is P-2485) so you receive updates whenever comments are filed, or FERC issues a determination. Research! Search the FERC eLibrary using the project number (eg. Northfield Mountain Pump Station is P-2485) for previously submitted comments, issuance, and documents. CRC's comments opposing the Low Impact Hydro Institute (LIHI)'s consideration of the inclusion of pumped storage hydropower in its Certification Program. CRC and Appalachian Mountain Club’s recreation recommendations submitted to FERC. Recordings: CRC has been holding a number of virtual events to share information and answer questions. Visit CRC’s YouTube channel to see all past recordings. Background: Hydropower in the Connecticut River Watershed River A large natural stream of water flowing into a channel. Dams undo many of the very features that distinguish a river ecosystem, such as: Variations in flow rate, river bottom sediments, and movement of soil and rocks. Migratory fish runs that bring economic opportunity, sustenance, and nutrients inland. All power generation has impacts on the environment. Hydropower has large impacts on a river. The Connecticut River watershed has dozens of active hydropower dams and two pumped storage projects that are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Their individual and cumulative impacts to our rivers are massive. The Connecticut River is one of the most extensively dammed rivers in the nation. CRC has advocated for removing dams in our watershed that no longer serve a purpose. Thus far, we have aimed to minimize the impacts of operating hydropower dams rather than removal. However, we evaluate each facility on a case by case basis. Dams on the main stem of the Connecticut River alter flows and water levels on more than 324 miles of the river’s 410 mile total length, from the headwaters region all the way down to Holyoke Dam 86 miles upstream from Long Island Sound. They block the movement of migratory and resident fish and other aquatic animals. The dams turn New England’s longest river into a series of warm water reservoirs. They impede natural river flows and cause the accumulation of sediment behind the dams, burying important river bottom habitat. Paddlers have to portage around the dams to continue traveling on the river. Historical uses and artifacts along the river are changed or submerged. It is important to remember the companies aren’t just managing their facilities, nor merely impacting just the water “at” the dams or nearby habitat. Through their presence and operations, hydro facilities manage the whole river. Most hydropower facilities have a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license with a term of 40-50 years. When these operating licenses come up for renewal during the relicensing process, it is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change how these hydro facilities affect our rivers. With such lengthy terms, the licenses lock-in impacts to the river for generations to come. Therefore, advocating for the river during relicensing is critical! It is a chance to improve access, habitat, and the river’s overall health as an ecosystem. Working with state and federal agencies, municipalities, nonprofits, and local residents, CRC examines the impacts of each facility’s operations on our local waterways and submits formal comments to ensure a balance between hydro operations and protection of the river. YOUR ROLE: You Have A Say! It is important for the public and municipalities to submit comments to make sure that local concerns and desires are voiced during the relicensing process and are responded to as part of the new license. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is interested in maintaining these energy facilities and they are in constant communication with the companies in the course of their relationship as regulators. FERC needs to hear from the public in order to understand and balance local ecological and public access concerns with power production To submit comments on a particular dam or hydro project you first need to know the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) project number. There are many hydroelectric projects in the watershed. Click on the project in the map below to get more details. Comments can be in response to a particular filing or can be a complaint about project operations, safety, or recreation issues in the project areas. You can see comment examples and a way to see all submitted comments here. Project numbers for the five large hydro facilities on the main stem Connecticut River undergoing relicensing now: Wilder Dam, P-1892-030 Bellows Falls Dam, P-1855-050 Vernon Dam, P-1904-078 Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project, P-2485-071 Turners Falls Dam, P-1889-085 There are two options for submitting comments to FERC: For a comment up to 10,000 characters, you can submit an e-comment . This DOES NOT require creating an account with FERC. For a longer comment, or to post a comment on your letterhead, you will need to eRegister with FERC to create an account, and then eFile . Please see our Comment Guide for extended comment details. Comments submitted so far can also be found here . CRC's FERC Comment Guide Tributary Facilities Undergoing Relicensing P-10934 Sugar River II ; Newport, NH on the Sugar River P-9648 Fellows Dam, P-9649 Lovejoy, P-9650 Gilman and P-7888 Comtu Fall; Springfield, VT on the Black River P-8615 Fiske Mill ; Hinsdale, NH on the Ashuelot River P-7887 Minnewawa Brook; Marlborough, NH on the Ashuelot River P-7883 Weston; Groveton, NH on the Upper Ammonoosuc River P-2490 Taftsville ; Woodstock, VT on the Ottauquechee River P-2489 Cavendish ; Cavendish, VT on the Black River P-2816 North Hartland; Hartland, VT on the Ottauquechee River P-2839 Great Falls ; Lyndonville, VT on the Passumpsic River P-5261 Newbury ; Newbury, VT on the Wells River P-2392 Gilman ; Lunenberg, VT and Dalton, NH on the Connecticut River P-2669 Bear Swamp ; Rowe and Florida, MA on the Deerfield River CRC's Other Hydro Work For questions about hydropower relicensing, contact the following: Kathy Urffer for Vermont: kurffer at ctriver.org | 802-258-0413 Marilla Harris-Vincent for New Hampshire: mharrisvincent at ctriver.org | 603-503-0419 Nina Gordon-Kirsch for Massachusetts: ngordonkirsch at ctriver.org | 413-772-2020 ext. 216

Support the Connecticut River by making a contribution for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities. Support the Connecticut River Every contribution supports our mission of clean water, healthy habitats, and thriving communities. Together, we can restore free-flowing rivers for fish passage and recreation in the Connecticut River and tributaries for years to come. Other Ways to Give Donate by Mail Please mail your check, made out to Connecticut River Conservancy, to: 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA 01301 Donate by Phone To donate by phone or to get assistance with your donation, please contact us at 413-772-2020 More Ways to Give Learn about legacy and workplace giving, sponsorships, stock donations and more with more ways to give. For questions about making your gift to support Connecticut River Conservancy, contact Brett at bmorrison - at - ctriver.org or call 413.772.2020 x218.

The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Contact Us Get in Touch CRC's headquarters is located at: 15 Bank Row Greenfield, MA 01301 For general inquiries, contact us at: CRC - at - ctriver.org or 413-772-2020 For press, media, or interview requests: contact Diana Chaplin at dchaplin - at - ctriver.org For volunteering: volunteer at ctriver.org for general inquiries or cleanup at ctriver.org for the Source to Sea Cleanup. For for CRC's lab/ water quality monitoring: contact Melissa Langley at 413-450- 8739 For all other inquiries: You can find a listing of our staff with their respective contact information on our staff page Support Connecticut River Conservancy Today Your contribution will make a lasting impact for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities in the Connecticut River watershed. Donate

Support the Connecticut River by making a contribution for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities. DOUBLE Your Impact! Make your fall gift by Nov. 17th to help earn the full $60,000 challenge Challenge donors have generously agreed to extend their MATCH until 11/17 to give the community more time to earn the full $60,000 Upper Valley Challenge. Join this opportunity for your generosity to do twice as much with CRC. Donate before 11:59PM on 11/17/2024 to DOUBLE your impact for clean water, healthy habitat, and resilient communities. Other Ways to Give Donate by Mail Please mail your check, made out to Connecticut River Conservancy, to: 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA 01301 Donate by Phone To donate by phone or to get assistance with your donation, please contact us at 413-772-2020 More Ways to Give Learn about legacy and workplace giving, sponsorships, stock donations and more with more ways to give. For questions about making your gift to support Connecticut River Conservancy, contact Brett at bmorrison - at - ctriver.org or call 413.772.2020 x218.

Road Salt, Chloride, and our Rivers Chloride is one of the main ingredients in road salt. Unlike many pollutants, chloride does not biodegrade or evaporate. Once it enters the environment, it stays there. We currently use more road salt than is necessary for effective winter road safety. Just one teaspoon of salt can permanently pollute up to five gallons of freshwater. Rain, melting snow, and stormwater runoff carry salt from roads, driveways, and parking lots into nearby waterways, which can eventually reach drinking water supplies. Once salt is in our rivers and groundwater, it is extremely difficult and costly to remove. New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are all part of the Northeastern "salt belt" that employs various strategies to de-ice roads in winter, including pre-wetting with salt brine, using snow-fighting vehicles with calibrated spreaders, and applying different types of salt based on temperature and storm conditions. Monitoring Program Connecticut River Conservancy participates in Salt Watch, a national chloride monitoring program run by the Izaak Walton League of America . Salt Watch helps gather data on how road salt use affects water quality by measuring chloride concentrations in rivers and streams throughout the watershed. This information allows CRC and partners to identify hotspots of salt pollution, track trends over time, inform municipalities, and support smarter, more efficient salt use. Read More Effects on Wildlife Many freshwater organisms including fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and aquatic plants are not adapted to survive in salty conditions. Elevated chloride levels can: Disrupt reproduction and growth Alter species composition in streams and wetlands Reduce biodiversity Change water chemistry over time Understanding where chloride levels are rising helps scientists and communities take action before permanent damage occurs. Road salt impacts on freshwater quality and aquatic flora and fauna, particularly in the "salt belt," necessitate more data collection and new strategies for managing snow and ice. You can contribute to our understanding of road salt in the Connecticut River Valley by participating in CRC's chloride monitoring program, learn about proper salting on your own property, and help your government better manage its effects by supporting related legislation. To learn more about road salt in your community and to do your part to mitigate negative effects, check out this informative video or quick fact sheet .

Support the Connecticut River for Giving Tuesday by making a contribution for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities. Free the Fish Challenge All donations up to $25K will be MATCHED for Giving Tuesday! Gifts through Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, will be DOUBLED thanks to a generous donor. This means you will have twice the impact in protecting river health and restoring habitat. This Giving Tuesday, show your support for healthy habitats in the Connecticut River watershed. Donate to free the fish! This challenge will fund dam removal to restore fish passage, culvert upgrades to improve climate resiliency, fish ladders and weirs for migrating species, and other habitat connectivity projects to benefit the fish that call these rivers home! Help CRC protect and restore the Connecticut River watershed for your community and the future with a MATCHED gift today. A donation form will appear below and some browsers require a few seconds to load. Thanks for your patience and support! Photo above by Ayla Skorupa. Other Ways to Give Donate by Mail Please mail your check, made out to Connecticut River Conservancy, to: 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA 01301 Donate by Phone To donate by phone or to get assistance with your donation, please contact us at 413-772-2020 More Ways to Give Learn about legacy and workplace giving, sponsorships, stock donations and more with more ways to give. For questions about making your gift to support Connecticut River Conservancy, contact Brett at bmorrison - at - ctriver.org or call 413.772.2020 x218.

The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Here are ways you can get involved for Earth Day! Earth Day Earth Day – and Earth Month in April – is the time of year when nature awakens after the slumber of winter and our field season begins to have the greatest possible impact for the Connecticut River watershed. Whether you’re taking small steps to support your local environment, or you’re ready to get your hands dirty for cleaner rivers, we have several ways to get involved. Community Events See a list of community events from our partners including volunteer opportunities, Earth Day festivals, and other ways to lend a hand for nature. Support CRC's Mission Make a gift to support clean water and healthy habitats throughout the Connecticut River watershed all year round! Organize a DIY Cleanup Trash is a big issue in our rivers and you can organize a group of any size to clean up a beach or park near you. Get started with our DIY Cleanup Guide. Community Events Give a Gift Start Organizing Watershed-Wide City Nature Challenge Join the Connecticut River Conservancy and partners throughout the watershed for the 2026 City Nature Challenge April 24 - 27. Take note of observations on land, in the sky, and in our waters. Start in your backyard or head to your favorite local park or preserve. We will look, listen, and document nature's abundant and unique biodiversity together using iNaturalist. Results will be gathered and announced in May. Events including guided nature walks are happening throughout the Connecticut River watershed in NH, VT, MA, and CT. See all the details and sign up for an event near you! Wild & Scenic Film Festival Enjoy an evening of short films about environmental stewardship, adventure, and fellowship in the natural world at the Bellows Falls Opera House in Vermont on Thursday, April 30th. Festival-goers can expect family-friendly films handpicked by CRC and featuring people working around the globe to promote cleaner water, healthier habitats, and more resilient communities. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. There will also be refreshments, raffle prizes, and guest speakers! Proceeds from the event will benefit CRC’s programs in VT & NH. See the film details and get your tickets. More Ways to Get Involved If you’d like to read up on the latest river updates, our news page covers a range of stories including past and upcoming restoration projects, LiveStream recordings, education about local habitats and species, and more. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get watershed news delivered to your inbox. If you observe a riverside area that could use a trash cleanup, contact our Source to Sea Cleanup Coordinator at slennard@ctriver.org . Looking ahead beyond Earth Day to volunteer with us? We’ll have many community science activities throughout the summer. Sign up for the volunteer newsletter at the link above to hear about them when they go live! Community & Partner Events Massachusetts April 6-10 Plastic Free Lunch Week at Leverett Elementary School April 11, 10am Greenfield Spring Cleanup , Downtown Greenfield & Greenfield Bike Path April 11, 10am Leverett Earth Day Cleanup , Leverett Transfer Station April 11, 1pm Art for the Earth Exhibition Reception , Leverett Crafts & Arts April 11, 6pm Art for the Earth Evening Performance , Leverett Crafts & Arts April 19, 11am Springfield Museums Earth Day Festival, Springfield, MA April 22, 12-2pm Lake Wallace Cleanup , Belchertown, MA April 22, 6pm Screening of Microplastics Madness , Leverett Crafts & Arts April 25, 8:30am Hadley Spring Cleanup Day , Hopkins Academy parking lot April 25 Statewide Volunteer Days with MassAudubon April 25, MA DCR Park Serve Day Connecticut April 25 - Wethersfield, CT – City Nature Challenge Guided Walk with GMCT April 25 - Chester, CT – Chester Celebrates Earth Day on Main Street from 12-4pm May 2 - Middletown, CT – Connecticut River Environmental Summit Vermont & New Hampshire April 25, 7am City Nature Challenge: Mink Brook Nature Preserve Guided Walks , Hanover, NH April 25 - Brattleboro, VT - City Nature Challenge Guided Walk with library & conservation commission More events may be added! Contact Stacey at slennard@ctriver.org to submit your event. More Upcoming Events We are updating our events calendar regularly. While not all upcoming events are specific to Earth Day, there are many other opportunities to learn and engage with your rivers. See All Events

The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Water Chestnut Water chestnut (Trapa natans) is an invasive, non-native aquatic plant that is spreading throughout New England and the Connecticut River watershed. Rooted in shallow waterbodies such as lakes, ponds and coves, water chestnut can take over the surface if left unchecked. These annual plants reproduce by seeds before dying off in the winter. Seeds drop in August and September, and can lie dormant but viable for up to 12 years. Pulling water chestnut by kayak or canoe before the plants produce seeds is the most efficient control method, and a great way to engage by volunteering! 2026 volunteer events have wrapped up for the season, but we'll be back in spring 2027! You can sign up for email updates to be notified when new volunteer opportunities are added. Read On, or Click Below to Jump to a Specific Section What does water chestnut look like? Why is water chestnut such a problem? Water chestnut infestation interactive map If it's not native, how did water chestnut get here? How does water chestnut reproduce? How does water chestnut spread? Water chestnut removal videos Water chestnut management with volunteers What does water chestnut look like? Water chestnuts plant their roots at the bottom of the river, while their leaves float on the water surface. They have rosettes of leaves that float on the water's surface that appear to be radiating from a central point. The leaves are triangular or slightly diamond shaped, toothed on two sides and connected to the stem by a long, flexible submerged stalk. Submerged leaves are feathery. The stem can grow up to 4.6m long, allowing them to colonize a wide range of freshwater habitats — from shallows to deep waters. Plants typically bloom in July. The tiny, white, four-petaled flowers produce characteristic horned seeds. In lightly infested areas you might find a single rosette or plant floating on the water. In heavily infested areas water chestnut forms dense floating mats, covering the surface of the waterbody. Why is water chestnut such a problem? To aquatic plants and animals: Water chestnut is a problem because it takes up space and nutrients. It can crowd out native plants that are food sources for native animals. Not only do they take over our waterways by out-competing other emergent and floating vegetation, but their colonization also negatively impacts the function of the entire aquatic ecosystem. They proliferate profusely on the surface of freshwater. The densely-layered floating mats they form — often as thick as three layers — limit light penetration through the vertical water column. As water chestnut decomposes, it decreases dissolved oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive. To humans: Water chestnut infestations also impede fishing, hunting, swimming, and boating as the rosettes cover entire bodies of water with plants up to sixteen feet deep in some extreme cases. They congest streams, block boats, and kill fish. The spiny seeds can cause injury. Management of out-of-control infestations is costly and requires incredible coordination. Water Chestnut Infestations Interactive Map This map shows all reported water chestnut (aka Trapa natans ) infestations within the Connecticut River Watershed. This map is continuously updated as stewards, monitors, and the other river users report new infestations and report on the status of existing ones. Water chestnut infestations have been reported in the four primary states within the watershed – NH, VT, MA & CT. If it's not native, how did it get here? European water chestnut has not always lived in the United States. The water chestnut is a resident of the Old World, native to Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Western Europe, and Western Africa. In 1877, the species Trapa natans was introduced to the United States from Europe (as suggested by its name) at the Cambridge Botanical Garden at Harvard University (Sculthorpe, 1967; Oliver, 1871; Voroshilov, 1982). It was planted in Collins Lake, MA and other ponds in Massachusetts. In 1879 the plant escaped the cultivated areas and started growing in the Charles River. Since then it has continued to spread all along the east coast as far south as Virginia and Kentucky, as far north as Quebec, invading the Hudson River and, of course, the Connecticut River. Without removal it has the capacity to spread farther. How does water chestnut reproduce? Each plant produces at least one flower annually. These flowers begin to form nut-like fruits in mid-July. Seeds ripen about a month later and start to drop in early-mid August. The seeds, known as water caltrop, are four-horned nut-like structures that develop on the underside of the floating rosette. One seed can produce up to 15 floating rosettes, each rosette producing up to 20 more seeds. Seeds remain viable for up to 12 years! It is important to remove water chestnuts before the seeds mature and drop to the floor of the water body. Though most seeds germinate within the first few years after being dropped, they can be viable for twelve years. A single plant left behind can drop over 20 seeds, restarting a long 12 year cycle of removing and monitoring. If we can prevent plants from dropping new seeds, an infestation can be successfully eliminated. How does water chestnut spread? Seeds can drop directly into the sediment beneath the parent plant or they can hitch rides to new locations. Water chestnuts’ spikes allow them to stick to birds or other wildlife and end up in a new location. Plants can also get caught on boats or other recreation gear allowing them to get carried up/down-stream or to new water bodies. Water Chestnut Removal in the Connecticut River Watershed Water Chestnut Management To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Fortunately, it is easily identifiable and smaller infestations can be managed with trained volunteers hand-pulling the plant. The key to keeping water chestnut from invading new areas is to remove plants before they have a chance to go to seed. Control requires vigilant patrolling and harvesting for many years to ensure a water body is saved. Infested sites should be monitored and controlled every few years to fully remove the invasive species. Most removal is completed by volunteers manually through a series of pulls. Volunteers pull the plants by hand, often depositing the pulled plants into baskets or boats that are brought to shore. Water chestnut can be composted away from the water body. Mechanical harvesters are efficient for removing large infestations of water chestnut. They can remove lots of plants from the surface. However, this method can be quite expensive. It cost the state of Vermont approximately $500,000 to remove water chestnut in 2000. Compared to hand removal, which usually involves many volunteers and few expenses, this method is more expensive but less time consuming. Volunteer to Remove Water Chestnut! Citizens like you help remove these invasive species from our waterways! Volunteers that frequently scout for and remove the invasive plants are the major contributors to preventing heavy infestations. CRC, partners, and other stewards of our rivers collaborate to organize many water chestnut removal events. These community events have been very successful at removing large swaths of water chestnut. In the summer of 2025, 213 volunteers and partners removed 603,000 water chestnut plants from the watershed! You can learn how to identify and report water chestnut as well as when it is appropriate to pull the plants, how to properly pull them, and how to properly dispose of the pulled plants. If you're interested in volunteering visit our volunteer registration site , or sign up for email updates to be notified. For questions related to CRC’s water chestnut program, request a presentation from one of our staff, or to connect about volunteering, contact us at volunteer@ctriver.org or 413.772.2020 207.

The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Thank you for supporting our mission. Green River Cleanup, 2025. The 30th Annual Source to Sea Cleanup Welcome to the Source to Sea Cleanup, a powerful and effective community event spanning the length of the 410-mile Connecticut River watershed in NH, VT, MA, & CT. Each fall, volunteers of all ages and abilities come together to do their part and spend a few hours making the water cleaner, the riverbanks safer, and the wildlife happier. Visit the Cleanup Site Registration is currently closed. It will re-open for Group Leaders in July 2026, and for volunteers in August 2026. For any questions, contact cleanup at ctriver.org. September 18-19th, 2026 (or a date that works best for you!) Get your gloves and trash bags ready, the goal of the Source to Sea Cleanup is to remove as much trash as possible from our waterways, riverbanks, and communities. Trash moves from land to water, from upstream down, and together we can make a BIG impact in preve nting this waste from ending up in our rivers. Become a 2026 Sponsor In 2025's Source to Sea Cleanup: Overview Get a summary of the initiative and how you can participate. Get the Basics Cleanup Site Map & Resources See our new registration platform for all the details. Get Started Trash Advocacy Learn more about how to prevent & reduce trash in our rivers. Stop Trash Sponsorship This event is held every year thanks to generous support from local sponsors. Sponsor Details Sign Up for Voluntee r Email Updates If you'd like to know when new volunteer opportunities become available, or just keep up-to-date with Connecticut River ne ws and events, sign up here and then return to this page. Overview of the Cleanup Getting Dirt y for Cleaner Rivers What began as a group of student volunteers organizing to remove trash from local rivers in 1996 has become a immensely popular annual event that brings communities together in support of clean water and healthy habitats throughout the Connecticut River watershed - in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Volunteers are organized into groups with Group Leaders coordinating details at different trash sites. Trash tallies are also gathered after each cleanup, contributing to Connecticut River Conservancy's long-standing database which is used to inform our work in advocacy to reduce future pollution , support river restoration , and inform the public and policy-makers of issues affecting the environment. Trash tally results throughout the watershed show that in 2025 over 2,000 volunteers from 126 groups collected 34.74 tons of trash (that's 71,480 lbs), and there'll be more trash in 2026! See our Cleanup Chronicle for more details. Get the 2025 Cleanup Chronicle Source to Sea Cleanup Sponsorship The success of the Source to Sea Cleanup reflects the partnership of individuals and businesses who do their part to help clean up our region’s waters. This community event would not be possible without the support of business leaders like you. We hope you’ll consider joining us at the sponsorship level that is right for your business. Why Sponsor? Demonstrate your commitment to the environment Increase your business exposure through generous media coverage and other promotion Provide your employees an engaging and meaningful team-building opportunity "The Source to Sea Cleanup proves to have a tremendously positive impact for our rivers and communities. The Walker Group was happy to support the initiative as a sponsor and get our own staff involved at a local cleanup event advocating for cleaner waters!" –Cheryl Elmore, The Walker Group Purchasing Manager, Community Service Lead See the 2026 Sponsorship Benefits Become a 2026 Cleanup Sponsor See 2025 Sponsors Cleanup Volunteers Gallery Stay Tuned or Get in Touch Our Source to Sea Cleanup registration platform is chock full of resources. Make sure you're signed up for our email list to get updates. Want to reach out for any questions in the meantime? Contact Stacey at slennard at ctriver.org. Trash Advocacy All Year Round While the Source to Sea Cleanup is all about picking up trash in our waterways, streets, and parks – it is also part of a greater effort that includes recycling our waste, speaking up for legislative actions to reduce pollution, and advocating for producers to develop products that are less harmful for the environment. We are pleased to see that after years of advocacy by Connecticut River Conservancy and partners, a Tire EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) bill has passed in Connecticut , becoming the first of its kind in the nation. This new legislation will decrease illegal tire dumping, save municipalities money, and boost tire recycling. On the flip side, legislation does not always go as we hope, as in the case of Vermont’s bottle bill – which would add containers like water bottles, juice bottles, and wine bottles to the list of redeemables – getting vetoed in 2023. Our River Stewards regularly comment on permits and legislation to steer policy in a more river-friendly direction, and we encourage you to sign up to our state-based eblasts at ctriver.org/email to get river updates and action opportunities in your state. Most Common Items Found in Cleanups Plastic Bottles Electronics Styrofoam Tires Aluminum Cans Clothing & Footwear Nips Toys Glass Bottles Cigarette Butts Construction Items Automotive Speak Up For Cleaner Rivers All it takes is a series of small actions by lots of people to make a big impact on our rivers. Through personal power and responsibility, we can keep our rivers clean for all to enjoy. Wondering how you can make a difference? Start with a few small steps: Multiply your impact — Invite friends, family, and co-workers to join you in this effort. Speak up for your rivers — Contact your elected representatives, show them the trash problem and let them know this is an issue that is important to you and deserves their attention and legislative action. Use the power of your purchase — Tell businesses what products to make and sell; purchase only reusable items and refuse single-use plastic and foam. Lead by example — Don’t litter, and properly dispose of your waste — no wish-cycling ! Get involved when there's a bill — Sign up for CRC's state-specific advocacy emails which include action alerts for when there is legislation you can directly support (or oppose!). #SourcetoSeaCleanup Share your river cleanup experience by using #SourcetoSeaCleanup and tagging @ctriverconservancy on Instagram. We’ll be on the lookout to share. Show the beauty of your favorite river spot or tributary, your cleanup group in action, or use this opportunity to document the not-so-pretty side of pollution to raise awareness for the importance of conservation. If you’re ready to sign up as a sponsor, you can complete our online form. If you would prefer to discuss sponsorship and/or request a Sponsorship Benefits Package, please contact Mary McCaughey at mmccaughey at ctriver.org . CRC’s Source to Sea Cleanup has teamed up with Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup for cleaner waterways around the U.S. and the world. For any questions about the Source to Sea Cleanup, email us at cleanup at ctriver.org.

The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Programs The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities throughout the watershed of New England’s longest river. Through collaborative partnerships in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, CRC leads and supports science-based efforts for resilient and life-filled rivers from source to sea. Below are the areas of interconnected impact that we are focused on. Click to learn more and dive into our programs. River Restoration Dam Removal Invasive Species Migratory Fish Advocacy Hydropower Relicensing Water Quality Monitoring Community Engagement Latest News 30 Years Strong: Connecticut River Conservancy Invites Volunteers to the Annual Source to Sea Cleanup The Connecticut River Conservancy's (CRC) Source to Sea Cleanup is celebrating a major milestone this year. Marking its 30th anniversary, the watershed-wide volunteer event returns September 18-19, with flexible cleanup opportunities that allow groups and individuals to choose the day that works best for them. See All News Looking for Something Else? Email Signup Meet the Staff Get in Touch Upcoming E vents Support O ur Work Mis sion & Values Support Connecticut River Conservancy Today Your contribution will make a lasting impact for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities in the Connecticut River watershed. Donate

The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Advocacy We advocate for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities throughout the entire Connecticut River watershed. From advancing legislation to getting our feet wet gathering data and meeting with concerned citizens in town meetings, our River Stewards are a multi-faceted team of many talents. CRC’s four focus states of NH, VT, MA, and CT each have a dedicated staff member with distinct annual priorities. CRC’s advocacy includes: Comments on State & Federal Permits Every year there are a range of permits related to development, wastewater, or natural resources that we can influence to be more river-friendly. One of the most significant right now is hydropower relicensing where we have been fighting on behalf of the Connecticut River – and the wildlife and communities it supports – for 12 years. More details here . Policy Development Each of the 4 states we focus on has unique environmental agendas and bills that can benefit or harm our rivers and ecosystems. Our River Stewards advance and promote legislation, including commenting on both state and federal procedural rules, that offers the most sustainable vision of a thriving future for our rivers and watershed communities. Community Engagement Public participation and engagement of local communities are vital in protecting our rivers. We engage with students, conservation commissions, recreation enthusiasts, volunteers, and many others to hear from and represent the public in our shared vision of supporting healthy, accessible rivers for all. Coalition-Building Collaboration is a core value of Connecticut River Conservancy, which is why our advocacy work relies on partnerships and sitting on a myriad of committees to ensure we have a voice at the table, can identify and fill in resource gaps, and represent the interests of both local human communities and the wildlife we all love. CRC’s River Stewards send monthly state-specific emails to keep you informed about the latest river news in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Sign Up for River News Meet the River Stewards Kathy Urffer Director of Policy & Advocacy/ Vermont River Steward kurffer at ctriver.org 802-258-0413 Marilla Harris-Vincent New Hampshire River Steward mharrisvincent at ctriver.org 603-503-0419 Nina Gordon-Kirsch Massachusetts River Steward ngordonkirsch at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 216 Amber Lively Connecticut River Steward ctriver.org 860-681-3194 Hydropower Relicensing Since late 2012, five hydroelectric facilities in the heart of the Connecticut River have been in the process of renewing their operating licenses in a process known as relicensing. The licenses for two facilities in northern MA and three dams in southern VT and NH will endure for the next 30-50 years and impact more than 175 miles of the Connecticut River. It’s critical that we all speak up NOW in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to influence these operating licenses. Learn More About Hydro Relicensing From the Connecticut River’s headwaters to Long Island Sound, here are CRC’s current advocacy priorities for each state. New Hampshire In New Hampshire, CRC’s major advocacy foci are hydropower, water quality, migratory fish habitat, and community building. We are collaborating with the VT and MA River Stewards on mainstem relicensing, but also tracking and commenting on permitting processes for numerous hydro projects on NH tributaries. We are working to expand our volunteer water quality monitoring to more of NH, and collaborating with CRC’s Aquatic Ecologist and state and federal agency staff to expand our knowledge of where migratory fish are found in NH so that we can advocate for increased protection of these waters. These and other efforts are not possible without collaboration, and we are constantly working to build our partner and member base in NH. Please contact Marilla if any of these initiatives pique your interest or if you have questions or concerns about the NH watershed. Photo: Connecticut River Falls below Second Lake - by Al Braden Vermont CRC is working in Vermont to support climate resiliency policies and funding to protect our rivers and communities. We are supporting a Chloride Contamination Reduction Program - a volunteer program that will begin to address excessive application of road salt that is subsequently contaminating our soils and waters. We are supporting partner organizations with educating community members about the importance of the Flood Safety Act. We are continuing to fight for our rivers in the 40-year-long licenses that govern the Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon hydro facilities. We are supporting efforts to reclassify the Whetstone Brook to protect the trout fishery, preserving outstanding scenic and recreational areas on the Williams River, and protecting Roundy’s and Herrick’s Coves in Rockingham. We continue to educate community members about impacts to our rivers through a variety of in person and virtual events. Photo: Vernon Dam on the Connecticut River - by Al Braden Massachusetts In Massachusetts, CRC is focusing on the decade+ hydro relicensing projects, working to legalize more water recycling (greywater), eradicating aquatic invasive species, and collaborating with other watershed groups in the Valley to get residents engaged in their local rivers. CRC heads the MA Greywater Working group - a citizen group writing a new bill to put through the state legislature to allow for more residential and industrial water recycling. We are partnering with the MA state plumbers representatives and Mass Rivers Alliance to build a strong coalition of supporters for the bill before it goes to the floor. We are also committed to the FERC relicensing process for Turner’s Falls and Northfield Mountain hydroelectric projects; we filed an appeal to Mass DEP for the state 401 Water Quality Certificate and are in the legal process now. This federal relicensing process only happens once in a generation and is our chance to step up and protect our rivers! And of course, CRC has ongoing work in MA to remove dams, restore ecological habitats, and help residents prepare for the impending impacts of climate change. Photo: The Oxbow in Northampton - by Al Braden Connecticut CRC is working in Connecticut to keep our rivers clean and riverbanks green! We encourage nature-based solutions to climate change including green infrastructure and protecting the vital trees along our riverbanks. We push for increased funding and attention to aquatic invasive species that threaten our waterways like hydrilla and water chestnut. We’re working with the Scantic River Watershed Association to create a watershed-based plan for the Scantic River. And as members of the Long Island Sound River Restoration Network (RRN), we advocate for increased funding for stream barrier removal in the region and for maintaining Connecticut's environmental standards for hydropower. Photo: Connecticut River in Hartford - by Al Braden Advocacy News The River Rocks! Field Trip to the Rock River with Middle School Students The Connecticut River Conservancy continues to bring watershed education to our local schools. Summary of a field trip developed for students to get hands-on experience with water quality testing and macroinvertebrate sampling. Why Definitions Matter: The Hidden Systems That Shape Our Rivers and Protect Our Wetlands An in-depth analysis of different types of wetlands in the Connecticut River watershed, and how federal, state, and local protections intersect in the primary watershed states of NH, VT, MA, and CT. Understanding The Impact of Data Centers on Our Rivers The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing has triggered a rapid expansion of data centers across the United States. According to the industry database, Data Center Map, there are at least 4,000 data centers across the U.S., with already 126 in New England states. See all River News For questions about CRC’s advocacy work, please find the contact information of the River Steward for your state on our staff page.