Swains Lake Dam Project: Winter Update and Construction Timeline

As your volunteers, we are committed to keeping our community informed about the ongoing health and management of Swains Lake. We have been in close coordination with Barrington’s Public Works Director, Mike, who has provided the following updates regarding the upcoming dam restoration.

Project Recap: Why This Work Matters

The Town of Barrington is currently executing three major improvements to the Swains Lake Dam infrastructure. This represents nearly a decade of planning and an investment of over $1 million:

• Culvert Replacement (Lakeside Oaks Drive): The Town is replacing failing culverts that manage dam outflow to ensure road safety and improve gate operation. This portion is largely funded by a 90% FEMA grant.

• Erosion Protection: A new rip-rap stone filter will be installed to safeguard the earthen portion of the dam from storm, wave, and ice damage.

• Underwater Gate Box Repairs: Vital structural repairs to the submerged gate system will ensure long-term operability.

The Latest Update: Construction Timeline

Based on recent communications with the Department of Public Works, the designated contractor is currently completing a project on Old Settlers Road. Pending the on-schedule completion of that project, the contractor is expected to move immediately to the work at Swains Lake. While the target for this transition is February 2026, the exact start date remains dependent on the progress of the prior work. The completion date is unknown at this time. Barrington’s Public Works Director, Mike, will update us on the timeline as he learns more.

Traffic and Access Changes:

• Hall Road Closure: Once construction begins, access to Lakeside Oaks from Hall Road will be closed.

• Temporary Access: Residents will utilize a temporary road onto Peabody that the Town prepared last fall. The Town is ready to open this access point as soon as the project commences.

  
  

Looking Ahead to Summer Water Levels

Ensuring the lake returns to healthy levels for summer recreation remains a top priority. The Town has indicated that these upgrades will provide greater flexibility to manage lake levels in the future. Upon completion, the Town plans to update the professional Lake Level Management/Drawdown Plan. This process will include opportunities for lakefront property owners to provide input, helping to balance infrastructure safety with the community's recreational needs.

Our Role as Your Association

We would like to remind our members that the Swains Lake Association is a volunteer-led organization. While we work diligently to coordinate with Town officials and advocate for our members’ interests, this is a Town-owned and Town-managed project. The SLA does not have legal or operational control over the dam, the construction schedule, or the water level.

Our mission is to serve as a bridge—communicating your concerns to the Town and providing you with the most accurate, up-to-date information as we receive it. We appreciate the transparency shown by the Department of Public Works and will continue to stay on top of this project as your community advocate.