Mystic River

The Mystic River is a river in Massachusetts. In the Massachusett language, means "large estuary," alluding to the tidal nature of the Mystic River. The resemblance to the English word is a coincidence, which the colonists followed. The Mystic River lies to the north of Boston and flows approximately parallel to the lower portions of the Charles River, encompassing of watershed. The river flows from the Lower Mystic Lake and travels through East Boston, Chelsea, Charlestown, Everett, Medford, Somerville, and Arlington. The river joins the Charles River to form inner Boston Harbor. Its watershed contains 44 lakes and ponds, the largest of which is Spot Pond in the Middlesex Fells, with an area of . Significant portions of the river's shores are within the Mystic River Reservation and are administered by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, which include a variety of recreation areas. The Mystic River has a long history of industrial use and a continuing water quality problem. Some sections are undergoing an extensive cleanup as part of the construction of Everett's new Encore Boston Harbor casino. History