The construction project in Upper Falls to replace the crumbling sluice-way dam in Hemlock Gorge is winding down and should be completely finished sometime next week. The dam is open for business and water is once again flowing through that channel.
The new path along the Rt 9 exit looks like it’s complete.
The open field on Ellis St that was used as a dump during the excavation has all been cleaned up and replanted and it looks like they were never there.
The project began last spring and was a surprisingly big project for what seemed such a little dam. The river splits just below Echo Bridge and the dam is just on a small side channel of the river. Though the dam looked very small, the base of it was very deep. During the construction, the crew blocked the channel with a temporary dam, and dug way down in the river bed to the base of the old dam – uncovering lots of interesting artifacts along the way.
Thanks to Jonathan Frieze for the photo.
Jerry is too modest to remind us that the impetus of the project was the heroic efforts of his close personal friend Barbie to hold back the leaks several months ago.
Alderman Brian Yates
President Friends of Hemlock Gorge
People who want to check out the project and also help to cleanup the rest of the Gorge should report to the Central Avenue parking lot in Needham across from the Mill Falls Complex on Saturday October 27 from nine a.m. to noon for an assignment, gloves, and trash bags followed by a lunch at noon at the stone building off Route 9 in Wellesley.
Brian Yates says”
That’s the newly refurbished stone barn. with brand new windows, courtesy of Brian Yates and the Friends of Hemlock Gorge and the DCR.
I must say, it’s a dam site better.
The windows at the Stone Barn were paid for by a generous contribution from the Charles River Neighborhood Foundation of Alderman Amy Sangiolo and her husband John Sangiolo.
The windows are installed but will be uncovered when the protective coverings arrive and are installed.
The windows are installed but will be uncovered when the protective coverings arrive and are installed.
They’re all installed – have a look.