Watertown Dam Removal
Restoring a clean, free-flowing Charles River
Restoring a clean, free-flowing Charles River
CRWA is leading advocacy efforts to remove Watertown Dam, an aging, 180-ft long, 8-ft high aging concrete weir structure located in the Charles River in Watertown, MA. Currently owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), it was originally constructed to power industry, but now holds no purpose for power or flood control. Instead, this functionless barrier to a free-flowing Charles River impedes migratory fish passage, destroys the river ecosystem, and harms climate resilience.
CRWA is calling for the immediate removal of Watertown Dam and every subsequent barrier upstream. By removing this functionless barrier and allowing nature to take its course, the Charles River has the opportunity to again be a welcome place for people, plants, and wildlife. Dam removal has the potential to welcome migratory fish populations back to an additional forty miles of the Charles River ecosystem, restoring life to our river and healing historic wrongs. Removal also offers the opportunity to improve habitat, transform water quality, restore native plants, and remediate contaminated sediment, increase climate resilience for future extreme weather events, and protect downstream areas from future flooding.
CRWA is calling for the immediate removal of Watertown Dam and every subsequent barrier upstream. By removing this functionless barrier and allowing nature to take its course, the Charles River has the opportunity to again be a welcome place for people, plants, and wildlife. Dam removal has the potential to welcome migratory fish populations back to an additional forty miles of the Charles River ecosystem, restoring life to our river and healing historic wrongs. Removal also offers the opportunity to improve habitat, transform water quality, restore native plants, and remediate contaminated sediment, increase climate resilience for future extreme weather events, and protect downstream areas from future flooding.
Learn more in A River Interrupted, a long-form exploration of dam removal that tells the story of Watertown Dam.
The Watertown Dam Removal Feasibility Study
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In June 2021, the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) released the final draft of the Watertown Dam Removal Feasibility Study. The report confirms that removing Watertown Dam is indeed feasible, and we believe it is advisable, as the aging dam impedes migratory fish passage, degrades the river ecosystem, and is susceptible to failure in extreme weather.
With the completion of the final draft of the Watertown Dam Removal Feasibility Study by the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), we finally have the scientific backing and tangible proof to pressure the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the state of Massachusetts to act. We are building momentum to remove these failing, defunct mill dams to restore fish passage and heal the river ecosystem for the entire eighty miles of the Charles River, starting with Watertown Dam. |
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Join the Dam Removal Movement
CRWA is leading long-term advocacy and education efforts to change public opinion on dam removal and turn ordinary residents like you into well-versed river advocates. It is our intention to work upstream, creating a grassroots movement for dam removal in each of the communities where these dangerous interruptions remain in our river. From public education events, to press interviews, to meeting with state and local leaders, to producing education materials, and more; we are working to change the course of our river and achieve our vision for a free-flowing, restored, climate-resilient Charles for future generations.
We need your support to remove this aging, defunct mill dam and restore a clean, free-flowing, resilient Charles River for future generations.
We need your support to remove this aging, defunct mill dam and restore a clean, free-flowing, resilient Charles River for future generations.
Support Our WorkDid you know we rely on individual donations from river lovers like you for over sixty percent of our budget? Your contribution goes directly towards helping CRWA achieve its mission of protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Charles River and its watershed through science, advocacy and the law.
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