A committee leading Natick’s examination of what actions to take regarding the future of the South Natick Dam will share a report with the Select Board on Wednesday about what’s been done so far and what the timeline looks like over the next few months.
The Charles River Dam Advisory Committee, formed about a year ago and consisting of town officials as well as interested members of the general public, plans to make a recommendation regarding the 1934 dam in August.
The town has been engaged with the public and environmental experts in a seemingly nonstop series of meetings, site visits, and surveys over the past year. They’re trying to figure out whether the iconic spillway (aka, waterfall) needs to be removed to protect the town from liability if it were to fail, and if it should be removed to return the river to a more natural state. Sure, it probably won’t be as nice a place for wedding pictures, but couples can always go over to other picturesque spots in town like the… Golden Triangle.
Those giant trees atop the earthen dam next to the spillway snuck up on the town over the years, and after receiving multiple negative reports from the state about the dam, Natick readied in 2019 to repair the structure after Town Meeting appropriated funds. But in 2020 the town was prompted by local environmental groups and members of the public to look into whether spillway removal might be cheaper for Natick, better for the environment, and provide new recreational opportunities.
The town did look into whether it might be possible to keep the trees atop the dam under any repair scenario, and was told “Nope” by the state’s Office of Dam Safety.
The state’s Division of Ecological Restoration has issued a grant to the town to help it answer some of its remaining questions, including the extent of sediment movement that could affect downriver communities more than Natick (a crew plans to hit the Charles on March 10 to do its surveying—weather and river conditions pending). Curious minds also wonder about a sort of consolation prize for spillway lovers—recreating the sound of falling water via a riffle.
Serious analysis of feedback and data is planned for the next few months, followed by some intense community consultation, and then decision making.
| Sure, it probably won’t be as nice a place for wedding pictures, but couples can always go over to other |picturesque spots in town like the… Golden Triangle.
I don’t know what totally insensitive idiot wrote this, but the beauty of the dam, and the birds in particular blue herons who frequent the dam are a real source of happiness to many of us who happen to be unmarried (albeit 85) and never heard of your Golden Triangle despite 30 years living in South Natick. There’s been no opportunity for input as far as I know. And “fear of lawsuits” is ridiculous given the property taxes you’re stowing away. This is callous removal of beauty and happiness which are all too rare today.
Hi Judith,
I wrote the line about the Golden Triangle and have added a link to more info on what the Golden Triangle is (shopping area crossing Natick-Framingham around Rte. 9, etc.). I was being cheeky. The town has provided many opportunities for feedback and input, sorry to hear you haven’t been reached. This outreach has included surveys and meetings that we’ve posted about and that the town has promoted in various ways.
I apologize. My partner told me afterward that you were being ironic, and I sounded a little strange living here 30 years and not knowing the Golden Triangle. (I’ve certainly shopped there, but didn’t know the name.) As you see I feel very strongly about the pleasure I’ve had from the dam area, and can’t understand why “they”‘d consider doing away with it. But I was uninformed and harsh.
Hi Judy,
No problem, you wouldn’t be the first person not to get my sense of humor… And yes, the dam as it is will be missed if taken down.
Regards,
Bob