Survey Probes Natick Feelings On Charles Dam Removal

NATICK, MA — A town committee examining what to do with an aging Charles River dam is seeking input from local residents about future amenities at the South Natick site.

The Charles River Dam Advisory Committee recently launched a survey seeking opinions about the public spaces that surround the dam — the South Natick Dam Park and in Grove Park along Pleasant Street.

The dam is out of compliance with state regulations. Natick can either repair the earthen dam along the south bank of the river, which would mean removing all the trees on it, or remove the concrete spillway. The second option would restore the river and allow the earthen structure to remain intact.

Both options will likely change the recreation options around the dam — either by removing the interesting-to-look-at spillway, or by removing tree cover.

"Our upcoming meeting will consider how the different paths forward could impact recreation and community use on the Charles River, in the South Natick Dam Park and in Grove Park (the two public properties on either side of the river/adjacent to the dam)," the committee said.

The Charles River dam recreation survey closes on Jan. 16 ahead of the committee's Jan. 25 meeting covering community use and recreation.