NORWICH – The Canasawacta Creek was left filled with debris after the flood waters of late June subsided. The issue of when the mess would be cleaned out has been one of consternation for both the public and city officials.

On Thursday, Department of Public Works Superintendent Carl Ivarson personally took a bulldozer into the Canasawacta and began removing debris. The cleanup efforts started behind the South Broad Street Park and will continue toward the Kurt Beyer pool area.

Earlier this month, city and fire department officials conducted a rescue training exercise and cut limbs off of trees that were obstructing the 70-year-old, concrete dam behind the city pool. The action was in response to a South Plymouth Street resident who complained that another sufficient rainstorm would flood his basement for the third time and force him to move.

“If I can find a way to do something, I’ll do it,” Mayor Joseph P. Maiurano said afterwards. “Thanks to the fire department volunteers and paid men for assessing the situation and figuring a way to do it safely.”

According to the mayor, the DPW will continue to remove debris first, and then the dam. The permits from the necessary regulatory agencies have already been received. No definitive timeline has been set for removing the dam.