Preserve your privilege to use this unique resource. Please follow these rules and regulations. Quabbin Park and ALLOWED IN DESIGNATED AREAS: Reservoir • Fishing • Bicycling • Hiking • Picnicking (without fi re or grills) THE MEETING OF MANY ACCESS IS RESTRICTED TO HOURS WATERS POSTED AT GATES AND ENTRANCES.

PROHIBITED

• Disposal of human waste, refuse, or litter anywhere except where appropriate receptacles are provided. • Alcoholic beverages. • Swimming and wading. • All fi res. • Horses, dogs and other domestic animals. • Camping, skiing, hunting, trapping, and fi rearms. ’s Management Agency • Trespassing in posted restricted areas and on the ice. The Department of Conservation and Recreation • Removal of historic artifacts or natural (DCR), part of the Executive Offi ce of Energy and resources. Environmental Affairs, is steward of one of the largest Please report violators to: state parks systems in the country. Its 450,000 acres Watershed Rangers at (617) 828-2452 is made up of forests, parks, greenways, historic sites State Police - Quabbin at (413) 323-7561 and landscapes, seashores, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and watersheds. For more information contact the Quabbin Visitor Center at 413-323-7221. DCR’s Division of Water Supply Protection manages and protects the drinking water supply watersheds QUABBIN RESERVOIR for 51 communities, mainly in the Department of Conservation and Recreation Greater area. The Division provides technical Division of Water Supply Protection support to other state agencies, monitors lakes and 485 Ware Road ponds, and precipitation throughout the state, and Belchertown, MA 01007 promotes policies for the long-term sustainability of www.mass.gov/dcr the Commonwealth’s water resources. October 2016 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 fl ocked 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 towns were also home to small industries such as drinking water in metropolitan Boston had state the majority of structures were torn down. 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 Springfi eld 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 , 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, hiking and Chicopee Valley (South Hadley Fire District 1, provide food for fox, bobcat, coyote and hawks. More fi shing. For more information, please visit the Quab- Wilbraham and Chicopee). uncommon wildlife, such as bald eagles, common bin Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily or call loons, bear and moose are also found at Quabbin, 413-323-7221. Management of the Water System is divided between benefi ting 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. Resources Authority (MWRA). Quabbin Park

While MWRA is responsible for drinking water Quabbin Park, located off Route 9 in Belchertown, Quabbin Facts and Figures transmission and treatment, DCR-DWSP is MA, is a small corner of the vast Quabbin Reservation. responsible for the protection of reservoir water 1927 - year clearing of the Valley began Open every day of the year from dawn until dusk, the quality and management of the watershed lands. 1938 - year that the 4 towns were dis-established park is the only section of the Reservation accessible Water quality sampling and fi eld inspections by 2,500 - number of residents who lost their homes to the reservoir by vehicle. The area offers visitor services including Environmental Quality Section staff at Quabbin 1939 - year the reservoir began to fi ll restroom facilities, the Quabbin Visitor Center and the Reservoir help identify tributaries with water 1941 - fi rst year water was sent from Quabbin to Quabbin Observation Tower as well as many of the quality problems, aid in the implementation of the Wachusett Reservoir 1946 - fi rst year the reservoir reached capacity unique cultural and natural features of the Quabbin Division’s watershed protection plans, and ensure 18 miles - length of reservoir Reservation. Much of the main infrastructure that compliance with state and federal water quality 118 miles - shoreline of reservoir (without islands) created the reservoir, , Goodnough Dike criteria for public drinking water supply sources. 151 feet - maximum depth of reservoir 45 feet - average depth of reservoir and the reservoir spillway, are all located in the park. A walk or drive through Quabbin Park Cemetery reveals A healthy, resilient forest cover on watershed lands 530 feet - elevation of reservoir above sea level when at capacity the history of the valley’s lost towns. There are over also contributes to the protection of pure water. 412 billion gallons - full capacity of Quabbin twenty miles of hiking trails available in the park giving Much of the operations of Quabbin Reservoir’s Reservoir visitors an opportunity to view wildlife. forest management activities focus on encouraging a 81,000 acres - combined acres of water and land owned and managed by DCR-DWSP diversity of tree species and age classes. A vigorous 2,640 feet - length of Winsor Dam Bicycling and fi shing are also allowed in certain des- forest fi lters incoming precipitation, stabilizes soil 295 feet - height of Winsor Dam above bed rock ignated areas in the park. As well, the Quabbin Visi- and mitigates impacts of natural and man-made 2,140 feet- length of Goodnough Dike 264 feet - height of Goodnough Dike above bedrock tor Center offers programs and information about the disturbances. Careful thinning operations of the 24.6 miles - length of Quabbin to Wachusett cultural history, and the management of the reservoir, wooded land surrounding the reservoir help to aqueduct watershed and wildlife. For more information, please promote a diverse forest community and benefi t 2.5 million - number of Massachusetts residents that drink Quabbin water visit the Visitor Center from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily or both water quality and wildlife. 206.57 million gallons - average daily water usage call 413-323-7221. (in 2015) for the water system.. This map provides a general orientation to Quabbin Park and its diverse landscape.