Natick officials vote to remove popular dam

It is a spot for selfies, solitude and the simple appreciation of beauty. But a beloved park in South Natick is in line for a permanent change -- because of its dam.

“A lot of people come here, local people come here,” said Natick resident Patty Griffin. “People driving by from out of state will stop and spend some time. It’s a wonderful place.”

Beauty aside, it’s a place standing in the way of ecological restoration. The concrete spillway, erected some 90 years ago, essentially separates the Charles River into two bodies of water -- one placid, the other turbulent. The town said the dam serves no flood control function but does, for example, keep fish from migrating upstream. Algae blooms are also more likely in the pond-like portion of the stream because of higher water temperatures.

The state ranked the dam in poor condition -- but there were fairly recent plans to repair it. However, last week, Natick’s Select Board voted 4 to 1 to ‘breach’ or remove the dam.

“I don’t know if the vote can be revisited or voted on again,” Griffin said. “I hope so. But we’ll see.”

That would seem likely.

The timeline for the dam’s removal is in terms of years. The town still has to secure funding for the project. And it’s possible that environmental concerns, such as sediment toxicity, could change the scope of the project, as well.

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