A beaver dam gave way on Saturday afternoon and sent a surge of water barreling onto Hudson Avenue in Grafton, prompting officials to shut down the road while crews hustled to clear standing water and debris. Drivers ran into pooled water and scattered wood as emergency and public-works teams worked to bring levels down and make the stretch passable again. Police said no homes were flooded, but Hudson Avenue stayed closed while the cleanup continued, according to WHDH.
As reported by WHDH, Grafton police said the dam failed at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, and crews spent several hours lowering the water level along Hudson Avenue. The department told WHDH the closure runs from Millbury Street to Brigham Hill Road and that the area is expected to remain off-limits to traffic until the work is finished.
Town Has Seen Beaver Trouble Before
Local officials were not exactly shocked. The incident lines up with a pattern flagged in the town’s hazard planning documents: the Town of Grafton notes that beaver activity and blocked culverts have contributed to localized roadway flooding in the past and identifies nearby trouble spots the town keeps an eye on. The plan calls for routine catch-basin cleaning, regular culvert maintenance and targeted repairs to cut down the risk of impoundments and sudden breaks.
Road Closure, Contacts And Updates
Hudson Avenue remained closed into the evening, and drivers were urged to steer clear and follow posted detours while crews finished clearing debris and checked for any road damage. For the latest word on reopening times and traffic advisories, visit the Grafton Police Department website or call the department’s non-emergency line at 508-839-2858.
