Areas around the Charles River are showing signs of change as preparations and staging are in full swing days before one of the world's premier rowing events. At the same time, rowers are hoping for some positive news when it comes to the levels of a harmful bacteria in the water blooming late into the year.

For decades, rower Andy O'Brien has been competing in the Head of the Charles Regatta. But while training this year he noticed something different, widespread blooms of toxic blue-green algae coating parts of the river.

"It's usually down in the basin mostly," O'Brien said. "But this year, I mean, it just shot up the whole river."

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a health advisory for a wide portion of the Charles, saying exposure to the water could be harmful

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