The case for removing the Watertown Dam

Description

The Watertown Dam is an accident waiting to happen. If the dam breached unexpectedly due to extreme weather, it could cause flooding, disruption and damage -- including to businesses directly downstream of the dam and portions of  Charles River Road and Nonantum Road in Watertown, Newton and Boston.

According to the DCR Office of Dam Safety it is a significant hazard for failure due to the potential downstream impacts. Currently the dam is rated in “fair” condition but this structure, which dates back to 1966, was not designed to withstand the river flows we will see with a changing climate. 

Join us for a presentation lead by the Charles River Watershed Association about  the growing movement to remove aging, defunct mill dams and restore free-flowing, climate-resilient rivers, as well as specifics on the effort to remove the Watertown Dam with experts Julie Wood, Deputy Director of CRWA and Robert Kearns, Climate Resilience Specialist with CRWA.

In addition to the public safety issues related to this dam, Wood and Kearns will discuss the numerous benefits and considerations to dam removal, including reinstating migratory fish passage and restoring the river’s ecosystem.