MARLBOROUGH — The City of Marlborough plans to remove trees from the embankment of the Fort Meadow Reservoir Dam in the coming weeks as part of a required dam safety compliance project.
According to a public notice issued by the city, the tree removal is being carried out in coordination with the Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety and is required to bring the dam into compliance with state regulations.
City officials said trees cannot remain on a dam because their roots can create pathways for water to travel through the embankment, and hidden seepage can weaken the structure over time. The notice also states that falling or decaying trees can leave voids that compromise stability and increase the risk of dam failure…