Environmental groups wanted to remove a dam in R.I. They hit a wall of opposition.

WESTERLY, R.I. — The Potter Hill dam is not that big as far as dams go, but it has an outsize influence on the Pawcatuck River, which in turn has an outsize influence on southern New England’s ecosystem.

Some people want to see the dam removed, and have been working for two years to do it. But the town of Westerly is balking. On Monday night, the Town Council put up an obstacle by unanimously voting against the renewal of an engineering contract. The removal project is now, as the Westerly Sun put it, dead in the water.

The dam blockage has opened a rift between environmental advocates, who are concerned about climate resiliency, flood control and fish species like the river herring, and residents of Westerly and bordering Hopkinton, who worry about losing well water and waterfront real estate where they can launch kayaks or pontoon boats.

They do agree on one thing: Removing the dam would have brought significant changes to the Pawcatuck River.

Read more: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/04/metro/environmental-groups-wanted-remove-dam-ri-they-hit-wall-opposition/