Can you swim in the Quabbin Reservoir?

Asked by: Michelle Gracy

Some activities, such as hiking, picnicking, birdwatching and shore and boat fishing are allowed. However, other user groups would like to recreate at the Quabbin, but cannot because of use restrictions. For example, swimming, off-road bicycling, canoeing, sailing and cross-country skiing are all prohibited.

Is the Quabbin Reservoir clean?

Also, to ensure safety, the streams and the reservoirs are tested often and patrolled daily by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Because they are well-protected, the water in the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs is considered to be of very high quality.

Can you kayak on Quabbin Reservoir?

Canoe and Kayak Rentals



Private canoe and kayak access to Quabbin Reservoir is not allowed due to concerns with the introduction of aquatic invasive species.

Can you visit the Quabbin Reservoir?

The Quabbin Visitors Center is open 4 days a week and offers many programs.

Why is Quabbin Reservoir closed?

Quabbin Reservoir in Belchertown is closed indefinitely to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Is there a town under Quabbin Reservoir?

The small towns of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and Prescott are lost under the Quabbin Reservoir. As the city of Boston grew in the early 1800’s they quickly ran into an increasing water shortage, so plans were put in place to flood the valley that would become the Quabbin Reservoir.

What does Quabbin mean in English?

The word Quabbin, formerly the name of a lake in Greenwich, comes from the name of a local, likely Nipmuc American Indian chief, Nani-Quaben, which means place of many waters or possibly well-watered place.

Can you picnic at Quabbin Reservoir?

As one of the largest bodies of freshwater in New England, the Quabbin has a recreational appeal not easily found elsewhere. Some activities, such as hiking, picnicking, birdwatching and shore and boat fishing are allowed.

What is the deepest lake in Massachusetts?

At 103 feet deep, Walden Pond, officially known as Walden Pond State Reservation, is a glacial kettle-hole pond and the deepest natural body of fresh water in Massachusetts—consequently, the water stays (relatively) cool.

Why do reservoirs have fish?

New reservoirs are much more productive than old ones. The recent flooding of standing vegetation causes its organic decay to be released into the food chain. This enhanced situation provides a temporary boom-town for aquatic weeds, insects and fish.

Does Massachusetts require a boat license?

Massachusetts law requires all motorboat operators who are 12 through 15 years of age to complete an approved boating course in order to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Also, all PWC operators who are 16 or 17 years of age or older must complete an approved boating course.

How long did it take to fill the Quabbin Reservoir?

seven years

It took seven years for the reservoir to reach its capacity of 412 billion gallons. Miles of aqueducts began carrying water from what some nostalgically call the “lost valley” to faucets in the Boston area. More than 8,000,000 seedlings were planted to protect the watershed.

Was Massachusetts underwater?

Massachusetts extended much further into the Atlantic Ocean that it does today; the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard were part of the mainland, Cape Cod was merely a feature of the terrain, and Wamsutta was well inland.” (Massachusetts Archaeological Society 54-55.)

What year was the Quabbin flooded?

1938

The passing of this legislation ordered the disincorporation of the towns of Enfield, Prescott, Greenwich, and Dana. As the area designated for the new Quabbin Reservoir, the four towns were to be completely flooded. At midnight on April 28, 1938, each town was lawfully dissolved.