Douglas D. Schumann Library & Learning Commons: Special Topics: Engineering Boston: Charles River

Internet Resources on the Charles River

Charles River Esplanade Study Report
Describes the history, landscape, and architecture of the Esplanade.
Cultural Landscape Report: The Esplanade, Boston, Mass.
A history of the Esplanade and its buildings. Illustrated with site plans and photos.
Dam and Lock in the Charles River (1904)
This bid request document list the materials and quantities required to build the Charles River Dam and Lock.
Digital Commonwealth: Charles River Dam Photographs
Historic photos of the dam, its construction, repair, and surroundings.
EPA: Urban Waters: The Charles River
On efforts to improve the water quality of the Charles River.
Evidence and Arguments before the Committee on Charles River Dam (1901-1903)
Testimony on the engineering and environmental reasons that necessitated the Charles River Dam's construction.
Historical Publications on the Charles River Basin
Links to an extensive list of surveys, engineering reports, and environmental studies of the Charles River Basin,
MDC: New Charles River Basin Master Plan (1995)
Site plans for improved parklands along the banks of the Charles.
Report of the Committee on Charles River Dam, Appointed under Resolves of 1901, Chapter 105, to Consider the Advisability and Feasibility of Building a Dam across the Charles River at or Near Craigie Bridge (1905)
This report examines the environmental, public health, and engineering considerations of building a dam to stop the tidal flow of the Charles River.
Report of the Medical Commission Upon the Sanitary Qualities of the Sudbury, Mystic, Shawshine, and Charles River Waters (1874)
This report on sewage flows into the Charles River. and into two other area rivers, was commissioned in consideration of the Charles as a source of drinking water for Boston.
Report of the State Board of Health upon the Sewerage of the Mystic and Charles River Valleys (1889)
A report on the sewage systems which emptied into the Charles and Mystic Rivers, as well as early experiments on the treatment of sewage with chemicals.
Turning the Tide: The Charles River Basin
This 2007 article by Brett Hansen relates the story of the Charles River Dam (1910), which transformed the river's polluted tidal mudflats into a recreation area for pedestrians and boaters.
USACE: Charles River Dam Local Protection Project
This US Army Corps of Engineers webpage tells why the 1910 Charles River Dam had to be replaced between 1972 and 1978.

Books and E-books on the Charles River

The Charles River: A History of Greater Boston's Waterway by Ted Clarke
Call Number: 307.1209744 .C53 2012

ISBN: 0764341545

Publication Date: 2013
Inventing the Charles River by Karl Haglund
Call Number: 307.1209744 .H34 2002

ISBN: 0262083078

Publication Date: 2002

Special Topics: Engineering Boston

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Internet Resources on the Charles River

Books and E-books on the Charles River