Water in Dedham: Past, Present, & Future

Join us on Saturday, May 4th from 9:30am -12pm as we explore the history and future of water in Dedham. Experts in the field will enlighten us on the history of New England's most prominent urban river, the Charles. Speakers from the Dedham Historical Society & Museum, Charles River Watershed Association, Neponset River Watershed Association, Dedham Westwood Water District, local high school students, Dedham Trails and L.L. Bean will reveal its past, present and likely future. 
          Once a haven for residents seeking respite from the City of Boston and a major source of recreation, the Charles River later became heavily polluted as a result of urbanization. Since the EPA launched its Charles River Cleanup in 1995, the river has come back as a place for recreational activity: in the past few years, Dedham has built 3 public canoe launches and created a 6.5-mile Water Trail, partnering with L.L Bean to get residents out on the water.

          The symposium on May 4 will also explore how extreme precipitation events and flooding in the future will impact the river and the town through which it flows. Immediately following the symposium, please join us at the Dolan Center Launch, 269 Common Street for a guided tour of the Charles River in Dedham by L.L. Bean. Please register for this tour at www.llbean.com.

A series of associated mini exhibits with historic and contemporary photographs will be at various venues in Dedham by mid-April. For details about the program, exhibits, and to register, visit www.waterindedham.eventbrite.com or call 781.326.1385. This event is presented by Dedham Sustainability Advisory Committee, Dedham Environmental Department, Dedham Historical Society & Museum, Dedham Civic Pride, Dedham Land Trust, and L.L. Bean.

Schedule

9:30am                 Refreshments and Networking

9:45am                Introduction

Moderator Leigh Hafrey, Sustainability Committee member and MIT Professor

9:50                     History of Water in Dedham

                             Judy Neiswander, Dedham Historical Society

10:10                   Stewardship

                             Tom Palmer and Taylor Walter of the Neponset River Watershed Association

Julie Wood of the Charles River Watershed Association

10:40                   From Aquifer to You

                             Tabitha Maccalous, Dedham Westwood Water District

11:00                   Students from Noble and Greenough

11:15                   Recreation
                             Jon Briggs, Dedham Water Trail

                             Benjamin Swanson, L.L. Bean, Outdoor Program & Outreach Coordinator

11:35                   Q&A

12:00                   Closing Remarks