“The Meeting of Many Waters” However, at the beginning of the 20th century, rural New England, including the Swift River val- For thousands of years this valley was part of the ley, was affected by declining land values and a territory of the Nipmuc Indians, who referred to the decrease in population. Increased industrialization area as Quabbin, or “the meeting of many waters.” drew people away from farms and small towns to By the 17th century their population had declined, cities in search of opportunities. In Massachusetts, decimated by war and disease, and the valley was people flocked to Boston and its surrounding areas. rapidly settled by Europeans drawn by the abundance Despite the 65 miles that separated them, the Swift of water and rich farmland. River valley was destined to feel the impact of population growth in the eastern part of the state. Four towns were eventually established in the valley, Dana, Enfield, Prescott and Greenwich (green-wich) Why the Swift River Valley? and by the mid-19th century they were thriving com- munities. With an economy based mainly on farm- Throughout the 19th century, the growing need for ing, the towns were also home to small industries Although some families moved their homes from the valley, drinking water in metropolitan Boston had state the majority of structures were torn down. such as soapstone quarrying, ice-harvesting, textile officials looking westward into central and western manufacturing and palm leaf hat braiding. When a Massachusetts to find or create a source of abundant Supply Commission (MDWSC), the state agency branch of the Boston and Albany Railroad was run fresh water. After the construction of the Wachusett responsible for the construction of the reservoir, from Springfield to Athol through the valley, the Reservoir in 1908 failed to meet the region’s long moved to transform the valley. Homes and factories area became a popular destination for summer visi- term water needs, officials set their eyes upon the were purchased from the townspeople, then razed or tors. The train route was known by the locals as Swift River valley. moved. Large tracts of land were purchased including the “Rabbit Run” because it made frequent stops, 25,000 acres for the reservoir alone. The land which or hops, on its journey, taking three and a half hours Due to the geography of the valley with its low was to be flooded was clearcut and burned. The state to travel fifty miles. hills and broad lowlands, as well as the high quality removed 7,613 bodies from the valley’s 34 cemeteries of the water, this area had been considered since and the majority (6,601) were reburied at Quabbin 1895 as an excellent spot to build a reservoir. By Park Cemetery. On April 28, 1938, Dana, Enfield, impounding the Swift River and Beaver Brook Prescott and Greenwich officially ceased to exist and where they exited the valley, a huge source of fresh the 2,500 people who once populated the towns and water could be created. villages no longer had a place to call home.
In 1927, after years of discussion, the legislature passed the Swift River Act, appropriating money to build a reservoir in the valley. In order to construct the reservoir the valley would have to be cleared of all structures, vegetation and people.
Quabbin Reservoir
A view of Enfield Center with the town hall, c. 1916. Although the decision to flood the valley met with Enfield was the largest of the four valley towns. some local resistance, the residents had few options and construction of the reservoir began in 1927.
Systematically, the Metropolitan District Water Enfield, February 1939; only the town hall remains.
January 2019 2019 January water resources. resources. water
www.mass.gov/dcr/watershed www.mass.gov/dcr/watershed for the long-term sustainability of the Commonwealth’s Commonwealth’s the of sustainability long-term the for
Belchertown, MA 01007 01007 MA Belchertown, precipitation throughout the state, and promotes policies policies promotes and state, the throughout precipitation
485 Ware Road Road Ware 485 to other state agencies, monitors lakes and ponds, and and ponds, and lakes monitors agencies, state other to
Division of Water Supply Protection Protection Supply Water of Division Boston area. The Division provides technical support support technical provides Division The area. Boston
Department of Conservation and Recreation Recreation and Conservation of Department 51 Massachusetts communities, mainly in the Greater Greater the in mainly communities, Massachusetts 51
and protects the drinking water supply watersheds for for watersheds supply water drinking the protects and QUABBIN RESERVOIR RESERVOIR QUABBIN
DCR’s Division of Water Supply Protection manages manages Protection Supply Water of Division DCR’s
Center at 413-323-7221. 413-323-7221. at Center
watersheds. watersheds. For more information contact the Quabbin Visitor Visitor Quabbin the contact information more For
and landscapes, seashores, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and and reservoirs ponds, lakes, seashores, landscapes, and
(413) 323-7561 (413) at Quabbin - Police State
is made up of forests, parks, greenways, historic sites sites historic greenways, parks, forests, of up made is
(617) 828-2452 828-2452 (617) at Rangers Watershed
state parks systems in the country. Its 450,000 acres acres 450,000 Its country. the in systems parks state
Please report violators to: to: violators report Please
Environmental Affairs, is steward of one of the largest largest the of one of steward is Affairs, Environmental
(DCR), part of the Executive Office of Energy and and Energy of Office Executive the of part (DCR),
Drones Drones •
The Department of Conservation and Recreation Recreation and Conservation of Department The
resources
Removal of historic artifacts or natural natural or artifacts historic of Removal •
Quabbin Reservoir’s Management Agency Agency Management Reservoir’s Quabbin
the ice ice the
Trespassing in posted restricted areas and on on and areas restricted posted in Trespassing •
Camping, hunting, trapping, and firearms. firearms. and trapping, hunting, Camping, •
Horses, dogs and other domestic animals. animals. domestic other and dogs Horses, •
All fires fires All •
Swimming and wading wading and Swimming •
Alcoholic beverages beverages Alcoholic •
receptacles are provided provided are receptacles
litter anywhere except where appropriate appropriate where except anywhere litter
Disposal of human waste, refuse, or or refuse, waste, human of Disposal •
PROHIBITED PROHIBITED
POSTED AT GATES AND ENTRANCES. ENTRANCES. AND GATES AT POSTED
WATERS WATERS ACCESS IS RESTRICTED TO HOURS HOURS TO RESTRICTED IS ACCESS
THE MEETING OF MANY MANY OF MEETING THE Cross-Country Skiing Skiing Cross-Country •
Picnicking (without fire or grills) grills) or fire (without Picnicking •
Walking/Snowshoeing Walking/Snowshoeing •
Bicycling Bicycling •
Fishing Fishing •
Reservoir Reservoir
ALLOWED IN DESIGNATED AREAS: AREAS: DESIGNATED IN ALLOWED
Quabbin Park and and Park Quabbin
Please follow these rules and regulations. regulations. and rules these follow Please
Preserve your privilege to use this unique resource. resource. unique this use to privilege your Preserve
However, at the beginning of the 20th century, rural “The Meeting of Many Waters” New England, including the Swift River valley, was affected by declining land values and a decrease in For thousands of years this valley was part of the ter- population. Increased industrialization drew people ritory of the Nipmuc Indians, who referred to the area away from farms and small towns to cities in search as Quabbin, or “the meeting of many waters.” By the of opportunities. In Massachusetts, people flocked 17th century their population had declined, decimated to Boston and its surrounding areas. Despite the 65 by war and disease, and the valley was rapidly settled miles that separated them, the Swift River valley was by Europeans drawn by the abundance of water and destined to feel the impact of population growth in the rich farmland. eastern part of the state. Four towns were eventually established in the valley, Dana, Enfi eld, Prescott and Greenwich (green-wich) Why the Swift River Valley? and by the mid-19th century they were thriving com- munities. With an economy based mainly on farming, Throughout the 19th century, the growing need for Although some families moved their homes from the valley, the majority of structures were torn down. the towns were also home to small industries such as drinking water in metropolitan Boston had state offi cials looking westward into central and western soapstone quarrying, ice-harvesting, textile manufac- Supply Commission (MDWSC), the state agency re- Massachusetts to fi nd or create a source of abundant turing and palm leaf hat braiding. When a branch of the sponsible for the construction of the reservoir, moved fresh water. After the construction of the Wachusett Boston and Albany Railroad was run from Springfield to transform the valley. Homes and factories were Reservoir in 1908 failed to meet the region’s long term to Athol through the valley, the area became a popular purchased from the townspeople, then razed or moved. water needs, offi cials set their eyes upon the Swift destination for summer visitors. The train route was Large tracts of land were purchased including 25,000 River valley. known by the locals as the “Rabbit Run” because it acres for the reservoir alone. The land which was to be made frequent stops, or hops, on its journey, taking fl ooded was clearcut and burned. The state removed Due to the geography of the valley with its low hills three and a half hours to travel fi fty miles. 7,613 bodies from the valley’s 34 cemeteries and and broad lowlands, as well as the high quality of the the majority (6,601) were reburied at Quabbin Park water, this area had been considered since 1895 as an Cemetery. On April 28, 1938, Dana, Enfi eld, Prescott excellent spot to build a reservoir. By impounding the and Greenwich offi cially ceased to exist and the 2,500 Swift River and Beaver Brook where they exited the people who once populated the towns and villages no valley, a huge source of fresh water could be created. longer had a place to call home. In 1927, after years of discussion, the legislature passed the Swift River Act, appropriating money to build a reservoir in the valley. In order to construct the reservoir the valley would have to be cleared of all structures, vegetation and people.
Quabbin Reservoir
Although the decision to fl ood the valley met with some local resistance, the residents had few options A view of Enfi eld Center with the town hall, c. 1916. and construction of the reservoir began in 1927. Enfi eld was the largest of the four valley towns. Systematically, the Metropolitan District Water Enfi eld, February 1939; only the town hall remains. Pure Water “Accidental Wilderness” Recreational Access Today Quabbin Reservoir, the Ware River, The result of this land management approach is an Quabbin Reservoir and its 56,000 acres of protected Wachusett Reservoir and their contributing area often referred to as the “Accidental Wilderness.” watershed provide drinking water to 40% of Massa- watersheds supply drinking water to 51 communities Relatively free from human disturbance, this sizable chusetts residents. This primary mission of assuring in the metropolitan Boston area. Sudbury Reservoir area of protected land with a diversity of habitats has the availability of pure water for future generations is not currently used as an active water source but resulted in varied and abundant wildlife communities. determines what types of recreation DCR-DWSP is held as an emergency supply. Quabbin and the Wild turkey and white-tailed deer are common, along allows. However, Quabbin’s vast acreage provides Ware River also supply three communities in the with smaller species of rodents and birds, which many opportunities for wildlife viewing, walking, Chicopee Valley (South Hadley Fire District 1, provide food for fox, bobcat, coyote and hawks. More and fishing. For more information, please visit the Wilbraham and Chicopee). uncommon wildlife, such as bald eagles, common Quabbin Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily loons, bear and moose are also found at Quabbin, or call 413-323-7221. Management of the Water System is divided between benefiting from the protected watershed lands. DCR- the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and DWSP wildlife biologists monitor the wildlife to help Recreation Division of Water Supply Protection maintain a diversity in population as well as to study (DCR-DWSP) and the Massachusetts Water the impact on the forest and water quality. Quabbin Park Resources Authority (MWRA). Quabbin Park, located off Route 9 in Belchertown, While MWRA is responsible for drinking water Quabbin Facts and Figures MA, is a small corner of the vast Quabbin Reserva- transmission and treatment, DCR-DWSP is 1927 - year clearing of the Valley began tion. Open every day of the year from dawn until responsible for the protection of reservoir water 1938 - year that the 4 towns were dis-established dusk, the park is the only section of the Reserva- quality and management of the watershed lands. 2,500 - number of residents who lost their homes to tion accessible by vehicle. The area offers visitor the reservoir services including restroom facilities, the Quabbin Water quality sampling and field inspections by 1939 - year the reservoir began to fill Environmental Quality Section staff at Quabbin 1941 - first year water was sent from Quabbin to Visitor Center, and the Quabbin Observation Tower, Reservoir help identify tributaries with water Wachusett Reservoir as well as many of the unique cultural and natural 1946 - first year the reservoir reached capacity features of the Quabbin Reservation. Much of the quality problems, aid in the implementation of the 18 miles - length of reservoir Division’s watershed protection plans, and ensure 118 miles - shoreline of reservoir (without islands) main infrastructure that created the reservoir, Winsor compliance with state and federal water quality 151 feet - maximum depth of reservoir Dam, Goodnough Dike and the reservoir spillway, 45 feet - average depth of reservoir are all located in the park. A walk or drive through criteria for public drinking water supply sources. 530 feet - elevation of reservoir above sea level when at capacity Quabbin Park Cemetery reveals the history of the A healthy, resilient forest cover on watershed lands 412 billion gallons - full capacity of Quabbin valley’s lost towns. There are over twenty miles of also contributes to the protection of pure water. Reservoir walking trails available in the park giving visitors Much of the operations of Quabbin Reservoir’s 81,000 acres - combined acres of water and land owned and managed by DCR-DWSP an opportunity to view wildlife. forest management activities focus on encouraging 2,640 feet - length of Winsor Dam a diversity of tree species and age classes. A 295 feet - height of Winsor Dam above bed rock Bicycling and fishing are also allowed in certain vigorous forest filters incoming precipitation, 2,140 feet- length of Goodnough Dike 264 feet - height of Goodnough Dike above bedrock designated areas in the park. The Quabbin Visitor stabilizes soil and mitigates impacts of natural and 24.6 miles - length of Quabbin to Wachusett Center offers programs and information about the human disturbances. Careful thinning operations aqueduct cultural history, and the management of the reser- of the wooded land surrounding the reservoir help 3 million - number of Massachusetts residents that drink Quabbin water voir, watershed, and wildlife. For more information, to promote a diverse forest community and benefit 199.98 million gallons - average daily water usage please visit the Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both water quality and wildlife. (in 2018) for the water system. daily or call 413-323-7221.
This map provides a general orientation to Quabbin Park and its diverse landscape. Pure Water “Accidental Wilderness” Recreational Access Today Quabbin Reservoir, the Ware River, The result of this land management approach is an Quabbin Reservoir and its 56,000 acres of protected Wachusett Reservoir and their contributing area often referred to as the “Accidental Wilderness.” watershed provide drinking water to 40% of Massa- watersheds supply drinking water to 51 communities Relatively free from human disturbance, this sizable chusetts residents. This primary mission of assuring in the metropolitan Boston area. Sudbury Reservoir area of protected land with a diversity of habitats has the availability of pure water for future generations is not currently used as an active water source but resulted in varied and abundant wildlife communities. determines what types of recreation DCR-DWSP is held as an emergency supply. Quabbin and the Wild turkey and white-tailed deer are common, along allows. However, Quabbin’s vast acreage provides Ware River also supply three communities in the with smaller species of rodents and birds, which many opportunities for wildlife viewing, walking, Chicopee Valley (South Hadley Fire District 1, provide food for fox, bobcat, coyote and hawks. More and fishing. For more information, please visit the Wilbraham and Chicopee). uncommon wildlife, such as bald eagles, common Quabbin Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily loons, bear and moose are also found at Quabbin, or call 413-323-7221. Management of the Water System is divided between benefiting from the protected watershed lands. DCR- the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and DWSP wildlife biologists monitor the wildlife to help Recreation Division of Water Supply Protection maintain a diversity in population as well as to study (DCR-DWSP) and the Massachusetts Water the impact on the forest and water quality. Quabbin Park Resources Authority (MWRA). Quabbin Park, located off Route 9 in Belchertown, While MWRA is responsible for drinking water Quabbin Facts and Figures MA, is a small corner of the vast Quabbin Reserva- transmission and treatment, DCR-DWSP is 1927 - year clearing of the Valley began tion. Open every day of the year from dawn until responsible for the protection of reservoir water 1938 - year that the 4 towns were dis-established dusk, the park is the only section of the Reserva- quality and management of the watershed lands. 2,500 - number of residents who lost their homes to tion accessible by vehicle. The area offers visitor the reservoir services including restroom facilities, the Quabbin Water quality sampling and field inspections by 1939 - year the reservoir began to fill Environmental Quality Section staff at Quabbin 1941 - first year water was sent from Quabbin to Visitor Center, and the Quabbin Observation Tower, Reservoir help identify tributaries with water Wachusett Reservoir as well as many of the unique cultural and natural 1946 - first year the reservoir reached capacity features of the Quabbin Reservation. Much of the quality problems, aid in the implementation of the 18 miles - length of reservoir Division’s watershed protection plans, and ensure 118 miles - shoreline of reservoir (without islands) main infrastructure that created the reservoir, Winsor compliance with state and federal water quality 151 feet - maximum depth of reservoir Dam, Goodnough Dike and the reservoir spillway, 45 feet - average depth of reservoir are all located in the park. A walk or drive through criteria for public drinking water supply sources. 530 feet - elevation of reservoir above sea level when at capacity Quabbin Park Cemetery reveals the history of the A healthy, resilient forest cover on watershed lands 412 billion gallons - full capacity of Quabbin valley’s lost towns. There are over twenty miles of also contributes to the protection of pure water. Reservoir walking trails available in the park giving visitors Much of the operations of Quabbin Reservoir’s 81,000 acres - combined acres of water and land owned and managed by DCR-DWSP an opportunity to view wildlife. forest management activities focus on encouraging 2,640 feet - length of Winsor Dam a diversity of tree species and age classes. A 295 feet - height of Winsor Dam above bed rock Bicycling and fishing are also allowed in certain vigorous forest filters incoming precipitation, 2,140 feet- length of Goodnough Dike 264 feet - height of Goodnough Dike above bedrock designated areas in the park. The Quabbin Visitor stabilizes soil and mitigates impacts of natural and 24.6 miles - length of Quabbin to Wachusett Center offers programs and information about the human disturbances. Careful thinning operations aqueduct cultural history, and the management of the reser- of the wooded land surrounding the reservoir help 3 million - number of Massachusetts residents that drink Quabbin water voir, watershed, and wildlife. For more information, to promote a diverse forest community and benefit 199.98 million gallons - average daily water usage please visit the Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both water quality and wildlife. (in 2018) for the water system. daily or call 413-323-7221.
This map provides a general orientation to Quabbin Park and its diverse landscape.