Natick completes dam drawdown, starts in-water construction
NATICK — Crews began in-water construction on the Charles River dam removal project Thursday after completing the impoundment drawdown, while the town separately issued an air quality alert as wildfire smoke returned to the region and pushed a rescheduled Natick Nights event to July 23.
TOWN HALL
The town's Charles River dam project reached a new construction phase July 16, with the impoundment draw-down complete and in-water work now underway. The contractor is installing a temporary access road behind the spillway, and the town is advising residents to expect related park closures in the area. Details are posted on the town's civic alerts page.
Separately, Natick issued an air quality alert July 16 as wildfire smoke pushed pollution levels up again, urging sensitive groups to limit time outdoors until conditions improve.
The Natick Police Department and community partners are also promoting National Night Out, set for Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Natick High School, with free food, games and activities for families.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Natick man guilty of selling technology to Iran, used in fatal attack": A Natick man was convicted in federal court of illegally exporting U.S. technology to Iran that prosecutors say was later used in a fatal drone strike, per reporting by Norman Miller for Wicked Local and the MetroWest Daily News (read it at https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/news/courts/2026/07/15/natick-ma-man-guilty-of-selling-technology-to-iran-used-in-fatal-drone-attack-jordan/90916027007/).
"Natick Nights postponed to July 23rd": Natick Report flagged the soccer-themed Natick Nights reschedule, a story the town's News Flash also covered today (read it at https://www.natickreport.com/2026/07/natick-nights-postponed-to-july-23rd/).
"Fall Registration Now Open: Walnut Hill Community Theater Academy": Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick opened fall registration for its Community Theater Academy program, according to Natick Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/natick/calendar/event/20260801/99e93159-5ad5-49de-b232-bfeac8d0d501/fall-registration-now-open-walnut-hill-community-theater-academy).
COMING UP
Natick Nights: Soccer is rescheduled for Thursday, July 23, from 5 to 8 p.m., with music, food and soccer-themed activities for neighbors and families.