Eric Krathwohl News Today

The Ipswich Mills Dam has existed in some form for nearly 400 years. A majority of the town's voters say they support getting rid of it.

A proposal to remove a centuries-old dam in the center of this historic town has triggered an emotional dispute.

A 400-year-old dam in Ipswich, Massachusetts is causing a stir in a small town with a long history.

A decade of debate in Ipswich comes to a head May 21, when the town votes on whether to remove Ipswich Mills Dam. On one side, removal-advocates hope to restore rare wetlands and provide a cushion against flooding. On the other, dam enthusiasts the tout the importance of the dam's history and recreation, arguing there are alternatives to full removal.

Since Colonial times, there has been a dam in the center of Ipswich, and behind it a pond that has become a beloved spot for swimming and paddling. A proposal to remove that dam and "free the river" has divided the town.