Project: Dam Removal & River Restoration

The Charles River Dam in South Natick is a High Hazard dam with a poor condition rating from the Office of Dam Safety, due to extensive mature tree growth on the earthen berm. Natick is required to address these deficiencies, and is working to remove the dam and restore the river.

This project is managed by the Public Works Department, with support from the Conservation and Sustainability Offices, and is being coordinated with the Charles River park improvement project.

This webpage provides background materials and updates on the project, which is expected to take multiple years. If you are looking for information about the park improvement project, click here.

Project Updates

Information on key meetings, regulatory review processes and community engagement opportunities are provided below. Project updates are also presented to the Select Board every few months, as part of the Board's regularly scheduled meetings. The public is welcome to attend, ask questions about the project, and comment.

Fall 2025: Site Preparation Begins for Next Summer’s Planned Dam Removal Project

Natick will remove five trees and clear brush on the earthen berm in preparation for construction staging and access during the dam removal project. The tree work was permitted by the Natick Conservation Commission and other regulatory agencies, and aligns with time-of-year restrictions designed to protect local bat colonies. A map of the project site that identifies the trees being removed is available here (trees being removed are marked with a red x).

The tree work has a limited scope and will be completed in about two days. It is planned for November 18 and 19, 2025, weather depending. No additional trees will be removed during construction, which is planned for summer of 2026.

Upcoming work:

November 2025: Permitted tree and brush removal
Fall/Winter 2025/26: Complete permitting process
Winter 2026: Bidding for dam removal contractor
Spring 2026: Contract award
Summer 2026: Spillway removal project begins

Summer 2025: Natick Receives Funding from MA Dam & Seawall Program

Spring 2025: Grant Applications

In spring 2025, the Town submitted applications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety's Dam and Seawall Grant Program.

On May 22, 2025, Natick received an Initial Public Notice from FEMA regarding its intent to provide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for the removal of the Charles River Dam in South Natick. FEMA's Public Notice was posted on May 22, 2025 and is available here.

On 3/25/25, the Town filed their application for the Chapter 91 Program. This application review and permit issuance are conducted by the MassDEP Waterways Division. Information on how to be involved in the Chp. 91 process has been complied below.

Shortly after filing, the Town's consultant GZA received a formal response back from the Chapter 91 office at the state that their program would no longer be reviewing and permitting passive sediment release associated with dam removal. This regulatory authority now lies with the Section 401 office, where our application is currently under review (see Winter 2024 below). A formal memo regarding the project's requirements under Chapter 91 is available below.

Chapter 91 Update Memo - Charles River Dam Decommissioning and River Restoration Project

Winter/Spring 2025: Notice of Intent

On 3/4/25 the Notice of Intent application to remove the spillway and fish ladder on the Charles River was filed with the Natick Conservation Commission. The project's public hearing will open at the 03/20/25 Conservation Commission meeting which will be held in a hybrid format (Zoom information posted on meeting agenda). The Conservation Commission meetings are also live streamed on Pegasus. All project materials can be reviewed in the Commission's public Google Drive here.

The project address is 11 Pleasant Street. If you would like to submit written comments to the Commission regarding the project, please send them to crundelli@natickma.org by 12pm the day of the applicable meeting.

Presentation from 3/20/25 Conservation Commission Meeting

Pegasus Recording of 3/20/25 Conservation Commission meeting

The public hearing has been continued to the Commission's meeting on 4/3/25. A site visit to 11 Pleasant Street has been scheduled for the Commission at 5:30pm on 4/3/25 in advance of the meeting. The Commission cannot discuss or deliberate at the site visit, which is not a posted public meeting, but the public are welcome to attend the site visit.

Winter 2024: Natick Begins Permitting Process

On December 11, the Town of Natick submitted its Section 401 Water Quality Certification Application to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. In January and February, the Town will submit permit applications to the U.S. Army Corps and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's Office of Dam Safety.

Fall 2024: Natick Receives MEPA Certificate

On September 27, 2024, the Town of Natick filed its Single Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for the proposed Charles River Dam Decommissioning and River Restoration Project, in accordance with the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) process.

The filing became live and available to the public on MEPA's Environmental Monitor (EEA# 16832) on October 9, 2024. On November 15, 2024, Natick received a MEPA certificate from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs that determined the Town adequately and properly complies with MEPA and its implementing regulations.to proceed with permitting.

Spring 2024: Natick Submits MEPA Filing

On April 30, 2024, the Town of Natick filed its Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) Expanded Environmental Notification Form for the proposed Charles River Dam Decommissioning and River Restoration Project.

The filing became live and available to the public on the Environmental Monitor on May 8, 2024. An in-person site visit and hybrid public consultation meeting was held on May 23, 2024. Slides from the consultation are available here. On June 14, 2024, Natick received a MEPA certificate that determined the project required a Single Environmental Impact Report.

January 2024: Natick Hosts Community Forum on Approach to Dam Removal and River Restoration

The Town hosted two meetings in January 2024 (one virtual, one in-person) to update the community on the Town's approach to dam removal and river restoration. Approximately 150 people attended these meetings.

A recording of the virtual meeting is available through Natick Pegasus and the presentation is available here. Questions and feedback shared by residents is available here (note, where possible, answers were provided live during the meetings).

Summer 2023: Natick Receives Dam & Seawall Grant to Advance Project

In summer 2023, Natick received a Design/Permit Grant from the MA Dam & Seawall program to design dam removal and begin the permitting process. The Town hired GZA to complete Phase 1: Engineering, Environmental Review, & Permitting.

Project: Dam Removal & River Restoration

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