Muddy River, Massachusetts

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The Muddy River as it passes through Olmsted Park

The Muddy River is a series of brooks and ponds that runs through sections of Boston's Emerald Necklace, including along the south border of Brookline, Massachusetts (a town that went by the name of Muddy River Hamlet before it was incorporated in 1705). The river, which is narrower than most waterways designated as rivers in the United States, is a protected public recreation area surrounded by parks and hiking trails.

The river flows from Jamaica Pond through Olmsted Park's Wards Pond, Willow Pond and Leverett Pond. It then flows through a conduit under Route 9 and into a narrow park called the The Riverway, from which it flows through underground pipes to a gatehouse located at Brookline Avenue. At this point some of the water runs north to drain into the Charles River, while some drains into the Back Bay Fens, which were formerly a saltwater marsh. From the Fens it passes through conduits that run through a more urban area of Boston filled with bridges and major roads, emerging at the Charles River via the Charlesgate area and Storrow Drive.

[edit] History

The Muddy River in early Spring

Though the river appears natural, in its present form it is actually man-made. The river was rerouted under the direction of the Emerald Necklace's designer, Frederick Law Olmstead, under whose direction the project reclaimed marshland, creating sculpted and planted riverbanks.

[edit] Restoration

The river is currently undergoing a restoration project to improve flood control and water quality, enhance its aquatic and riparian habitats, restore the landscape and historic resources, and implement improved management practices. This project is intended to prevent repeat occurrences of the Muddy River's past damaging floods.