Fore River Watershed Association

Welcome

Our mission is to restore, protect, enhance, and promote the resources of the Fore River and its watershed. 

Our goals are to: 
Improve wildlife habitat 
Improve public access to water bodies and coasts 
Sustain and coordinate stewardship 

The Association coordinates events such as beach and river clean ups, canoe trips, and informational meetings about how to protect our watershed. 

The Association is run by a Board of Directors and an Executive Director.

What is a watershed?

A watershed is a land area in which water and all that it carries (solids, sediments and dissolved materials) flows to a common outlet - a point on a larger stream, a lake, an underlying aquifer, an enclosed bay, an estuary, a river, or the ocean. 

The Fore River Watershed includes the communities of Braintree, Weymouth, Quincy and parts of Holbrook, Randolph, Milton, Stoughton, Canton and Avon. The Fore River Watershed is a part of the larger Boston Basin watershed. 

The waters in a watershed can become polluted when hazardous household materials such as cleaners, paint, and auto waste are disposed of in street drains. Pesticides on lawns, and oil and gasoline on streets can wash into sewers and the river when it rains. 

We can protect our watershed by: 

-properly disposing of toxic waste on household hazardous waste pick up days 

-landscaping without using chemical pesticides 

-making sure your septic system is working properly 

-reporting sewer overflows and other sources of pollution to the Fore River Watershed Association or the Department of Public Works

Enjoying Our River

The Fore River is a twisting tidal estuary that begins just after the Quincy Ave bridge in Weymouth Landing and flows several miles before emptying into Hingham Bay. 

Citizens of Braintree can access the Fore River at parks and beaches such as Watson Park and Smith Beach. 

The Monatiquot River in Braintree, and Town River in Quincy are the major tributaries of the Fore River. 

The Monatiquot River begins near the golf course where the Farm and Cochato rivers join. It runs about four miles through Braintree before running into the tidal Fore River. 

The Monatiquot is a wonderful place to watch wildlife such as birds, turtles, muskrats and fish. 

The Monatiquot River has played an important role in the history of Braintree. Early settlers chose to locate in Braintree because of the rivers strong flow and population of spawning river herring. 

Braintree's early industries were made possible by the water power of the Monatiquot.