Wrentham Eagle Dam Removal
Restoring a clean, free-flowing Charles River
Restoring a clean, free-flowing Charles River
Wrentham Eagle Dam Removal
There are dozens of dams located across the Charles River watershed, the vast majority are relics that no longer provide any benefit. Eagle Dam, on Eagle Brook, which connects to a tributary of the Charles River in Wrentham, is one of these. This dam, which was found to be in “poor condition” in recent inspection, was identified as a vulnerability during the Town of Wrentham’s local climate plan because of the hazard it poses to downstream residents and critical infrastructure.
CRWA is working with the Town of Wrentham to assess the feasibility of removing Eagle Dam, an outdated structure that is at risk of failure and detrimental to local wildlife. The dam, which was originally constructed in the 1800s to power a corn mill, has failed in the past, and climate change brings increased precipitation and severe weather, adding additional stresses. It is presently owned and maintained by the Town of Wrentham. A recent dam safety inspection found the dam to be in hazardous disrepair: the spillway was damaged but never professionally repaired after its initial failure, severe erosion of the embankment has occurred, and there is an overgrowth of vegetation, including large trees, which impacts the structural integrity of the dam.
Removing Eagle Dam in Wrentham would improve water quality and habitat conditions, save the town money, and reduce the threat of the aged structure breaching and causing significant downstream flooding on MA Rt. 140 and into Norfolk. Removal would eliminate the risk of catastrophic failure, provide an opportunity to restore natural stream conditions, and could even welcome back migratory fish populations to the ecosystem.
CRWA is working with the Town of Wrentham to assess the feasibility of removing Eagle Dam, an outdated structure that is at risk of failure and detrimental to local wildlife. The dam, which was originally constructed in the 1800s to power a corn mill, has failed in the past, and climate change brings increased precipitation and severe weather, adding additional stresses. It is presently owned and maintained by the Town of Wrentham. A recent dam safety inspection found the dam to be in hazardous disrepair: the spillway was damaged but never professionally repaired after its initial failure, severe erosion of the embankment has occurred, and there is an overgrowth of vegetation, including large trees, which impacts the structural integrity of the dam.
Removing Eagle Dam in Wrentham would improve water quality and habitat conditions, save the town money, and reduce the threat of the aged structure breaching and causing significant downstream flooding on MA Rt. 140 and into Norfolk. Removal would eliminate the risk of catastrophic failure, provide an opportunity to restore natural stream conditions, and could even welcome back migratory fish populations to the ecosystem.
The Eagle Dam Removal Feasibility Study
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In April 2021, The Town of Wrentham, the consultant ESS, and CRWA released the results of the Eagle Dam Removal Feasibility Study. The study has concluded that Dam Removal is feasible with additional study required and likely cost less than repairing the dam. CRWA is hopeful about future opportunities to restore Eagle Brook for native fish species and reduce flooding hazards to downstream communities in the face of climate change. CRWA is hopeful about future opportunities to restore Eagle Brook for native fish species and reduce flooding hazards to downstream communities in the face of climate change and interested in continuing to engage with continued community conversations. |
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Learn More About Eagle Dam
- Watch our Community Information Session About Wrentham Eagle Dam
- Watch our presentation to the Wrentham Board of Selectmen
- View the slides from the presentation to Wrentham Board of Selectmen
- Press: Future of Wrentham's Eagle Dam discussed, more input and study needed
- Press: Replace Eagle Dam, or remove it? Future of Wrentham structure is focus of upcoming virtual meeting