The History About Charles River

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Charles River

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Charles River

It is January and the weather is chilly. By taking a quick glance through my window I can tell which month it is. Charles River can be spotted looking gray and dark with a frozen surface. The weather promises to get nastier with such heavy cloud cover. The river banks are without life as bare branches hung solidly like silhouette against the water surface. The water surface is frozen and as a result, there is no activity visible from the river. It is these kind of weather that later produces the most breathtaking scenes. When the sun manages to shower the land with its golden rays, the result on the water surface can only be termed as exquisite.

On another occasion, instead of the sun shining on the frozen river water, we experienced a snow fall, which turned the river to a white sheet. The snow falls on the frozen water surface so that the whole river turns white. Depending on whether there is snow or not, the river’s color is dependent on the type of weather that we are experiencing. When there is heavy cloud cover, the river becomes dark or gray in contrast to the blue color it takes when the sky is clear. When it is sunny, the frozen surface starts to break into pieces, which intensifies the blue color. From my room, it is possible to see the surface breaking up.

Activities on the river during this time are highly prohibitive owing to the chilly temperatures. The people avoid the water at all cost and as a result, there are no people in the river for the best part of the winter season. Even aquatic animals like swans are not visible in the water in times like this. The behavior depicted on the river surface can be explained through simple physics principle of the anomalous behavior of water. When temperatures drop below zero degrees, the water particles lose the energy that keeps them in motion. As a result, the particles move less rapidly causing the water to eventually solidify into ice. However, since water is not a good conductor of heat, the water particles affected by the low temperatures are those on the surface of the water body. Since ice is less dense than water, it floats on the water causing the various variations in colors due to its more reflective nature.

According to WBZ News (2013), outdoor activities during the winter are mainly concentrated on the Frog Pond or the Massachusetts Ski Areas that are not far from Boston. This implies that there are no activities on the river, save for a few joggers along the banks. Most of the time is spent indoors and the days are deemed longer compared to the days in summer. At this time, watching the river from my room does not ignite any warm feelings into my heart. The grim grey appearance, coupled with a few old men strolling along the river’s banks does not promise any fun for the day.

As temperatures get warmer in the month of March, the frozen surface breaks up as we welcome spring. The river begins to get some life as the plants start to gain some color. The river will be mostly characterized by visible flowing water and may swell when there is a downpour. Downpours are a usual characteristic of spring in Boston. This means that the river is mostly grey as it reflects the color of the dark and heavy clouds. Although it is possible to experience some warm days, they are never guaranteed. At times we may experience really cold days. In the same way, some days are warm and sunny. It is during this time that you begin to see activity in the river. Animals are now visible in the river and the plants are giving the banks quite a beautiful view.

In the months of March and April, the weather is quite unpredictable in Boston and as a result, I cannot tell which weather will prevail in the day by observing the river like I did during winter. One thing that is prevalent though is the common downpours. The public parks are at this time parked with people that aim to make the best out of the season. The transport systems in the river are visible and tourists are frequently visiting the river (Boston Tourism and Discovery Guide, 2012). The banks are beautifully donned by the spring flowers and people are venturing outdoors more often. When the sky is clear, the river is blue in color. When the sun is shining, the blue color intensifies making the scene very beautiful. There are times, however, when the downpour results to snow falls. This results in a snow-covered river bank with the river itself mirroring the color of the sky.

During the heavy downpours, the river swells its banks and flows at a higher speed. The water is mostly grey due to the dark clouds in the sky. In most cases, the rain-washed banks look fresh and radiates against the sun rays. However, sometimes the heavy downpour is followed by a chilly weather which results to snowfalls. On such a day, the weather is usually unbearable and you are good to stay indoors. At times, the snow falls mildly but may persist in other times to cover the entire parks as well as parts of the river.

At this time, the river plays an important part in attracting tourists to Boston. Tourists can enjoy various activities in the river. Due to the warmer temperatures, the people are more active and as a result, there is more activity outdoors. Unlike in winter when nobody thinks about the river’s water, during the spring, more people are seen venturing out into the river now. When the weather is favorable, a day out may be such a big success during spring. However, if the weather changes in the course of the day, a heavy downpour may ruin one’s outdoor events (DCR, 2013). It is this kind of weather that made the natives to point out that if one does not like the weather in Boston, one only needs a moment to see the weather change back to a more favorable condition.

The months of May and June are more humid as a result of the rise in temperatures. This can also mean more torrent rains falling at this time. However, these are the times that one can also enjoy some of the best days in Boston. The river’s color alternates from a beautiful blue color, when the sky is clear, to dark grey when there is cloud cover. In most cases there are a lot of activities down at the river.

Aquatic birds can be visible doing rounds above the water. The usually spotted birds are ducks as well as herons. If they will not be swimming in the water, they can either be spotted perched on the banks or flying above the water surface. Although the river has lost its appeal to swimmers due to pollution, the birds do not seem to mind. The river is highly polluted and I would advise against swimming in it. Other recreation activities are however very common. It is during this time that people descend into the river for canoe rides as well as sailing in the waters. These are the major tourist pullers into Boston.

The month of May can however be characterized by heavy downpours as well as occurrences of blizzards. When the cool air sweeps across the Atlantic, it has the implication of lowering the pressures which results into higher precipitation. For instance, at the beginning of the year 2013 spring, the town experienced one of the strongest blizzards in a long time. According to the reports, the blizzard resulted to the highest snow cover witnessed in Boston in a hundred years. The weather, mainly characterized by a storm later turned into a snowfall that caused a lot of traffic problems in the city. The river, having swollen during the storm, flows at a high speed. The river is dark in color with a snow covered bank. The sides which were beginning to gain the green color become a white sheet. This is a characteristic of the spring period where the weather is at most very unpredictable.

The most unpredictable months of the year must be those in the spring season. When I look outside my window in the morning, I might get the indication that it will be a sunny day. The sun shines bright and the Charles River looks beautiful under the blue sky. This however does not guarantee that the day will be sunny. The weather changes quite often. Storms are known to occur even in the days that started off as sunny. This, however, does not deter people from enjoying the natural recreation facilities that the Boston River offers and people can be seen taking advantage of a sunny day to bask in the parks with children are playing and running along the river.

The month of June welcomes the summer season is characterized by warm days that are highly humid. The river’s color is blue for most of the day. The people are hyperactive during this period and the parks are buzzing with activities. Charles River receives the highest level of activity during this time. People are mostly seen in the water enjoying canoe rides, kayaking or sailing in the fast flowing water. It is a beautiful view to look down at the river at this time as one can see the blue river meandering across the land dotted by the many canoes on its surface. Tourists who visit Boston at this time of the year have a lot of activities to enjoy in the river. The river is able to ignite excitement in me when I look down at it. The view down at the river is appealing which makes one to want to join the crowd.

The most common activities in the river are canoe riding, sailing as well as kayaking. Many firms provide recreation services in the river, which implies that the crowds keep getting larger (DCR, 2013). Sailing the full length of the river provides a great experience as one is able to view the different ecosystem. Observing the wildlife from the boats can help in understanding the variety of wildlife that Boston offers. Kayaking is also very common in the river as it provides recreation activities for the whole family. From my window, I am able to see the ground below gaining life. The banks are crowded and there are children playing in the parks.

The banks of the river are lined with fully green plants. The lifelessness that characterized the winter will soon be forgotten as people enjoy the thick green undergrowth. The parks are looking fresh and inviting. It is not a wonder why there are people milling in the parks every day. It is the perfect time to venture outdoors. The river looks welcoming in its deep blue color that characterizes the summer skies. Looking at the river from my room, it is hard to tell that the river is polluted and one may be deceived into thinking that it would be fun to swim in the river. On a closer look however, one is able to see that the water is highly polluted.

The weather during the summer is characterized by humid and sunny days. Occasionally, there could be a storm, but this does not last. Most people spend their summer days outdoors engaged in the many outdoor activities that are permitted by the weather. In fact, looking down from my room at night reveals that some people are still out there in the river or in the parks. The month of August is no different from the month of June only that the autumn will be knocking. A glance at the river during this period makes one’s spirits to soar. It could either be due to the hot day ahead or just because it promises one of a beautiful day ahead. Either way, I find myself looking forward to viewing the river during this time more than the other times.

The month of September sets in and the people do not seem to notice as the weather does not change drastically. However, the nights get colder than the usual summer nights. Autumn is here and we are bound to experience the most dramatic changes in the sceneries that can ever be witnessed in Boston. Due to the cooler weather, there is less humidity in the air, which means that it is much clearer during the day unlike the hazy days of summer. When the sky is clear, Charles River shines brightly in a blue shade. Autumn in September has the characteristics of summer only that there is more color as the leaves change color from green to gold.

The river is mostly spectacular during the sunset as the rays reflect against the water to form a bright golden view. With Boston foliage fall setting in, it is a time when people take the most breathtaking photographs of Boston. Capturing the river against the crimson foliage brings out a color combination that defines natural scenic beauty. A glance out of my window is met by a cold breeze which works to remind me of the approaching winter. The river is still looking very beautiful and people are still enjoying the last of this kind of weather before swinging back to winter hibernation. The sun still shines brightly making it possible for one to spend a day outdoors. The nights are however cold and sometimes become unbearably chilly.

The outdoor fun that extended into the night during the summer period becomes minimal and will end altogether by November. Charles River looks like an extending black sheet at night. Its visibility from my room is made possible by the city lights that shine against its surface. During this time, the river is mostly empty save for a few sailors.

As time moves on to usher in the winter season, a dramatic change that cannot be ignored is the one occurring to the foliage. On the sides of the river, the previously fresh and green plants are soon losing their green pigment to crimson. The amount of leaves on the trees become less every day. It is quite clear that there will be no leaves left on the trees by mid November.

It is common to experience very cold winds during this time. The winds are mostly referred to as the Nor’easters and are commonly associated with the change in pressure due to the temperature change. When the winds are strong, the river surface forms ripples. The ripples make the river surface look like a big crumpled blanket only that the ripples are evenly spaced. Sometimes the winds may result to a storm, which indicates that the time to spend days indoors has begun. There are times when the winds go beyond the normal strength to result in hurricanes. Boston has a history with hurricanes with the most recent one being hurricane Sandy that happened in year 2012 (DCR, 2013).

Charles River swells considerably in a storm. During such a time, the authorities regulate the levels of water to avoid floods from the river and may occur if it burst its banks. In a storm, it is hard to see the river from my room. However, when there is only a light drizzle, the river appears as dark as the skies are and is seen flowing at a high speed. This is not a good time for people to venture outdoors. The risks of being caught up in a storm are higher as the weather gets colder. The causes of a hurricane have been attributed to changes in pressure owing to temperature changes.

In the month of November, the winter indicators are now clear. Most of the trees have lost all their leaves and the weather is mostly chilly. Winter is here with us again and it will not be long until the land is covered with snow again. The leafless trees, standing along the river and in the park, serve to remind us of the festive season. The mood is set and the people will make merry indoors as the chilly weather gnaws at anyone who ventures outdoors.

December ushers in the winter season with frequent snow falls. The snow in Boston is not necessarily heavy and sometimes there are lighter snowfalls than others. Charles River is mainly covered in snow near the edges as the water is still flowing at relatively high speed. The nights are cold and the river will start freezing soon. A look down the river at night and all there is to see of the river is snow. At dawn, the river looks as if it has been frothing. This is because the snow covers only patches of its surface. Its color remains to be grey for most of this season, but may appear bluish if the sky clears. Life at the river diminishes as people retreat indoors while the birds migrate to warmer areas.

Charles River continues with its unending journey towards the Atlantic throughout the year. It is an important feature in the city of Boston and its environs. The river is not only a geographical feature but can also be seen to influence the social life of the Bostonians as well. The various seasons of the year are represented by a different type of activity for the Bostonians. In the same way, the river is used in different ways across the seasons. What has remained apparent is that the role played by this river is vital and cannot be overruled.

The pollution rate of the river has however been a great concern to both the society as well as to the authority. The Charles River Conservancy aims to rehabilitate the river to enable the people to fully enjoy it without risking their lives. At the moment, swimming in Charles River is not recommended. The water is filthy and is covered by a green substance, which probably results from the many types of waste discharged into the river. The authorities have however started a program to purify the water and some of the areas are now considered safe for swimming.