South Natick Dam removal ‘has passed the go/no go point’

Despite last ditch efforts by some to stave off removal of the spillway at the South Natick Dam, work on the Charles River site has begun and the project is moving ahead.

The town shared a 25-page memo that includes responses from one of its consultants to legal and other questions posed by a member of the public regarding the planned spillway removal, which the Select Board voted in favor of in 2022 for liability and other reasons. Earlier this month, a grassroots paddle on that section of the Charles was held, and some intrepid citizens even dared walk across the spillway.

There’s a move across the state and country to nix dams that no longer serve their original purpose, such as for industry. While the town-owned South Natick earthen dam and concrete spillway from 1934 do still serve one of their original purposes—providing recreational opportunities (see Natick Historical Society’s 2020 backgrounder)—their poor condition sealed their fate. With the climate changing, concerns have risen about issues such as algae blooms in the impoundment area, or pond, above the spillway and of a possible dam breach. This is a run-of-river dam and doesn’t actually control water flow.

Town officials have tried to assuage opponents of the spillway removal with assurances that the surrounding parkland will be improved.

Bill Spratt, executive director of the Department of Public Works & Facilities, shared a brief update with the Select Board and public on June 24 (see Natick Pegasus recording at about the 2-hour, 55-minute mark). This followed another briefing by Spratt in May.

While Spratt said he appreciated the Board continuing to take public comment, he emphasized that this is a done deal and that many public comment opportunities have been available over the past few years as the permitting and other processes have taken place.

“As of this week, the current status of the project is all permitting is in place, the dam contractor has a notice to proceed, has mobilized the site and has started work,” Spratt said. “So, this project right now has passed the go/no go point…”

Spratt said delays to the project at this point “will jeopardize $1 million in grants.”

The Select Board is sticking with the program, and voted not to make a request to the state’s Office of Dam Safety to reassess the jurisdictional natural of the South Natick Dam.

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