Mystic River: an ill-fated tale of three childhood friends, heart-wrenching drama, and a Boston-accent wielding Sean Penn.
Though Clint Eastwood's 2003 hit film is emotionally powerful and thrilling, the story of the Mystic River itself is stirring and complicated in its own right. The Mystic River has served as a source of food, energy and recreation for over 400 years. Native Americans fished it and tide mills harnessed its power from the colonial era until the industrial revolution ... a constant stream of pollution for almost 200 years now.
Now, before you think that you have stumbled upon another overbearing sermon on the environment - one that's berating people for not wearing everything burlap - take a sigh of relief, because this article is not going to chastise anyone. On behalf of the Tufts Mystic Water Watch, I am writing about the Mystic River watershed and the significant and fun way that people can help conserve it.
First off though, what is the Mystic River watershed? Formed in large part by retreating glaciers more than 10,000 years ago, the watershed is a collection of rivers, streams, lakes and ponds that drains an area of approximately 76 square miles north of Boston.
The watershed is currently home to more than half a million people - almost eight percent of the state's population in less than one percent of its land area - making it one of the most densely populated urban watersheds in Massachusetts.
The Mystic River watershed (also known as a drainage basin) performs an essential act for the many cities and towns in the Boston area. Acting like a funnel, it collects and channels runoff from rain, snow and ice into the Mystic River and its neighboring tributaries, which then transport it to the ocean.
This process is vital to the prevention of floods and the drainage of sediment. Unfortunately, however, as a result of the continued deforestation of land for housing developments and factories, soil absorption has diminished and erosion rates have augmented, leading to greater sediment deposition and higher rivers and water bodies. This is a serious strain on the Mystic River watershed and can only be helped by the preservation of vegetation and a curtailing of land development.
How can we help solve this problem? Even if you aren't Ted Turner and don't have his billions of dollars to put towards extensive New England land conservation, it is still possible to help.
On Oct. 20 at 10:30 a.m., the Friends of the Mystic River organization is sponsoring an annual clean-up of the river with the Leonard Carmichael Society and the Tufts Mystic Water Watch.
Subject to all the pollution problems of a heavily urbanized watershed - bacterial contamination from aging sewer systems, toxics from abandoned industrial sites, storm water runoff - the Mystic River and its tributaries need help to reduce sewage and nutrient contamination, remediate contaminated sediments and control invasive plants.
At the event on Oct. 20, you will have the wonderful opportunity to help rid the watershed of pollutants and garbage, while enjoying the beautiful river - that runs only 10 minutes away from campus - with friends over a free pizza lunch.
This event offers a great opportunity to hang out with friends, become more connected to the Medford-Somerville community, and help conserve our environment. All you need to bring is yourself and the knowledge that you will be helping the invaluable asset that is the Mystic River.
Sarah Taub is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major. For additional information about the Mystic River and Mystic River cleanup, she can be contacted at Sarah.Taub@tufts.edu.
