Natick officials have laid out 2 options for the fate of the South Natick dam: Fix it or ditch it. Town officials have expressed empathy regarding the possible loss of a Natick landmark, though can’t hide their salivating over saving a bundle and getting rid of a potential legal headache by breaching it.
In all the town’s public info sessions and formal presentations at government meetings, however, I’ve not heard a peep about the value of dam log watching and how that might play into Natick’s decision.
Last year, a log survived atop and on the side of the spillway (aka, waterfall) from winter until June. The Logwatch brought the community together in an organic way during the toughest of pandemic times, unlike so many of the virtual events foisted upon us in the name of keeping us connected. I swear, next to the vaccines, it was Natick’s most important COVID-19 antidote.
This 8th Wonder of the World was real. The phenomenon inspired true crowdsourcing. Those passing by on their essential-only errands shared photos with the rest of us adhering to the state’s stay-at-home advisory. The beautiful tapestry of dam good puns inspired by Logwatch offered residents true salvation.
We’re excited to report that South Natick dam Logwatch ’21 has begun. Could this even be Day 1? According to our investigation, it wasn’t there for sure on May 15, when we ran a series of spring pics from the area. But as this photo shared by a Natick Report reader shows, it’s there now. I swung by at dusk and saw it for myself, and think I may have shed a tear of joy (unless that was just the pollen doing its thing to my eyes again).
From the looks of it, this log doesn’t appear to be as substantial as those of years past, and there’s no ice to lock it in place as during the winter of 2019/2020. But let’s see how it performs. You can’t always judge a log by its bark.
The days of logwatches could truly be numbered if the dam and spillway are obliterated in the name of environmental improvement that will presumably set the fish free.
Shadwatch or Carpwatch just don’t have the same ring.
More: Have we rescued a piece of South Natick’s red footbridge?
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I immediately thought of this blog when I saw it this weekend.
I’m other south natick news what is up with blocking off of the dirt parking spaces at elm bank? Since they are the ones next to the riverside hiking trailhead I assumed they were DCR controlled, but are those spots Mass Hort too?
Good question, noticed that too.
Keep the damn dam!
How did I miss Logwatch? Thank you for bringing me up to date.