All that rain we haven't been getting has meant dramatically lowered rivers, a statewide "red flag" warning about how easily things can go up in flames and now a state "critical drought" designation for "Massachusetts's Central and Northeast regions, including the Charles River watershed," according to the Charles River Watershed Association:

Streamflow in the Charles River is at critically low levels, with some sections showing zero flow.

Mary Ellen looked across the Charles from Millennium Park in West Roxbury at a copse of trees in Needham this morning.

The Boston Public Health Commission reports the state has lifted its cyanobacteria advisory for the Charles River between the Longfellow Bridge and the Charles River Dam, including the Broad and Lechmere canals in Cambridge. Read more.

Mary Ellen spotted this great egret doing a little noshing in the Charles River off Millennium Park in West Roxbury the other day.

The Crimson reports Harvard University will built and maintain a public dock at Herter Park, along the Charles River in Brighton, not because it really wants to, but as part of a deal to win state approval to allow renovations at its current boathouses, one on each side of the river - on shoreland that state law normally requires be open to the public.

On Monday, an outraged resident filed a 311 complaint about the goings on at the kayak launch on the Charles at Millennium Park - which is at the end of a fairly narrow path and surrounded by trees and brush: Read more.

The Cambridge Fire Department reports a Boston Duck Boat rescued a father and child from the Charles River near the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Land Boulevard this morning. Read more.

The other day, Mary Ellen spotted the glossy ibis that's been bringing all the birders down to the Millennium Park kayak launch the last week or so.

DCR will be holding a public meeting Wednesday evening to help it map out a long-term plan for better managing the annual fall Head of the Charles Regatta between the Watertown line and the Charles River basin. Read more.

A concerned citizen filed a 311 report yesterday about all the dead fish on the rocks by the North Washington Street bridge and the Eliot School in the North End. Read more.