On a cold Monday morning, staff from NSRWA and the Town of Marshfield, along with a few passersby, watched as the highly skilled team from Flynn Enterprises removed the Veterans Park Dam. This is a huge accomplishment for our organization and a testament to the power of partnership and collaboration.
For over 10 years, NSRWA has worked with town and state officials — including the Marshfield Veterans Agent and other stakeholders at Veterans Memorial Park — on an extensive planning, designing, permitting and funding process. To see this project come to life is truly inspiring and a reminder that, as quickly as things seem to move and change on any given day, real change happens over time.
The remainder of the project will focus on creating a nature-like fishway where the dam once was. This will reconnect the South River from the ocean to the freshwater, restored riverine habitat throughout this stretch and support our native fisheries. For thousands of years, the river flowed freely at this spot until it was dammed in the mid-1600s. Now fish passage will be restored while retaining the character of the park.
Once construction in the river channel is complete, park improvements will begin. The beloved lagoon and park will remain intact (including the water wheel) with improved accessibility and repairs throughout the park. The temporary bypass channel that was created for this project will be filled in and the park will look largely the same as it did before construction began, with far fewer impediments for migratory fish.
We are grateful for our partners at MassBays, Town of Marshfield, Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, Marshfield Veterans, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for working tirelessly to bring this project to life.
