2023 season closing times: April 15 - May 6 at 8 p.m.; May 7 - July 22 at 8:30 p.m.; July 23 - August 12 at 8 p.m.; August 13 - September 2 at 7:30 p.m.; September 3 - October 21 at 6:30 p.m.. All Boat Launch Areas are open seven days a week for the season. When it was completed, Quabbin was the largest man-made reservoir in the world. As the final stages of construction were taking place, so too were the steps to dismantle the towns. A tunnel was built between the Swift River and Wachusett Reservoir to the east, and the river was diverted. Jon boats larger than 14 6 in length are limited to 3 persons; between 12 and 14 6 are limited to 2 persons. Dog friendly, could be a bit long for younger kids. Rentals before 12:30 p.m. pay full day rate. This is a good trail. Along with the Wachusett Reservoir, it is the primary water supply for Boston, 65 miles (105km) to the east, and 40 other cities and towns in Greater Boston. The mobile device App is recommended for use in the field. Thank you for your website feedback! Today about two-thirds of the Swift River watershed is owned by the Commonwealth and managed by the DCRs Division of Water Supply Protection (DCR/DWSP). DCR has a limited number of life jackets available for those who dont bring their own, but cant guarantee one will be available. [3] Over the next seven years, the waters of the Quabbin Reservoir slowly rose behind the newly completed Winsor Dam, an earth-filled structure 2,640 feet (800m) long, rising 170 feet (52m) above the riverbed, and the slightly smaller Goodnough Dike. All private boats must have an intact Quabbin Boat Seal (QBS) to launch on the reservoir. In 1947, the Massachusetts Legislature authorized the construction of the Chicopee Valley Aqueduct to deliver Quabbin water to three communities in Western Massachusetts: Chicopee, South Hadley, and Wilbraham. Consult the complete fishing advisory posted on the bulletin boards at the boat launch areas, ask the attendant for further information, or visit. The lapping water and well-manicured grounds created an aptly contemplative setting in which to imagine the daily life that once inhabited the vanished towns. During the 1930s, this tunnel was extended to the Swift River. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Great view of the rez at the 4-mile mark and then down to Richards Ledges. More complete information regarding access rules and maps of Quabbin can be found on DCR's official public access website. Yourboater ID card is required to launch a private boat at Quabbin Reservoir. This trail is great for birding, hiking, and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The Quabbin Reservoir Watershed (including the reservoir itself) covers 120,000 acres: 64 percent of this area is owned by DCR; the remaining 36 percent is permanently protected by state agencies and nongovernmental organizations including MassWildlife, Mass Audubon, TTOR, and Harvard Forest. Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. ** The present Lake Cochituate is the so-called Framingham Reservoir and now serves as a major swimming and boating resource but is no longer part of the potable water supply. Click here for more information about theQuabbin Reservoir Boater ID Card. In 1926 the immense engineering project began. BELCHERTOWN -- It's a longstanding piece of Massachusetts lore: When the Quabbin Reservoir is low, they say a church steeple rises from the water, a ghostly reminder of the towns submerged by the flooding of the Swift River Valley in 1939. The Quabbin came to life as I retraced my path and headed south into Belchertown. Chock blocks on vehicles when launching or removing boat from the reservoir. BE CAREFUL OF TICKS! As a result, the land has reverted to wilderness, a habitat shared by coyotes, foxes, fishers, and wildcats and hundreds of bird species, including loons and bald eagles. This is a rutted dirt road and about a 450 foot descent to the water. In the late 2000s the site was surveyed by state authorities and the federal Formerly Used Defense Sites program for potential unexploded ordnance or other contamination in the area.[6]. Very flat with few ups and downs. Bald eagles, loons, moose, deer, coyotes, black bears, foxes, and bobcats share the habitat, among others. Respect "Wildlife Research Areas" posted with signs or marked with red buoys. The Transcript Press, 32 Freedom Street, Athol, MA 01331, 1981. Print/PDF map. He tries to set such visitors straight, but ''you can't just tell people they're crazy.". Beautiful. A boater ID card is created when you obtain a Quabbin Boat Seal by either the Boat Decontamination or Cold Weather Quarantine program. In July 1939 engineers stopped diverting the Swift River and allowed it to back up, slowly flooding the valley. Click here for boat rental availability (updated every 15 minutes). Email inquiries toQuabbinVisitor.Center@mass.gov. Dogs are not allowed in Quabbin Park or on any other part of DCR's Quabbin Reservoir lands; dogs are also not allowed in parked cars. Reservoir is beautiful at sunset. Quabbin Reservoir is one of the few places in Massachusetts where Common Loons and Bald Eagles are known to consistently nest. There are restrictions to protect the water supply. T, The use ofany lead fishing sinkers and lead jigs weighing less than 1 ounceis now prohibited in all Massachusetts inland waters (freshwater), Boat beaching is for rest room facility use only. Quabbin's water covers 39 square miles, is 18 miles long and has 181 miles of shoreline. Travelers are voting Beemster, Heemstede and Lisse as the best of 59 towns & villages near Amsterdam. Fed by the three branches of the Swift, and seasonally by the Ware River, the reservoir is 18 miles long with 181 miles of shoreline, a capacity of 412 billion gallons and covers 25,000 acres when full. AllTrails has a bad plan for this trail. Construction took more than 20 years and required the obliteration of four towns in the Swift River Valley. Boat fishing is allowed on Pepper's Mill Pond with non-motorized, carry-in boats. The trail was well marked and easy to follow, it was a great easy hike, with beautiful views. Except for first 1.5 miles, you are under canopy for most of the way. the land has reverted to wilderness, a habitat shared by coyotes, foxes, fishers, and wildcats and hundreds of bird species, including loons and bald eagles. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Lots of birds singing there around a pond. Today, the Quabbin Reservoir is a treasure trove of outdoor recreational activities and attracts tourists from all over to go hiking, fishing and birdwatching. Appointments can be made starting October 1st by calling the Q uabbin Visitor Center at (413) 323-7221 between the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM. A few houses and roads exist which were once part of North Prescott (now New Salem), and there is a town line marker just north of the gates, indicating the former town line for Prescott. Under Quabbin: The Search for the Lost Towns, A WGBY Production. I stopped in to check my directions to the Montague Book Mill, which advertises, ''Books You Don't Need at a Place You Can't Find.". In the early 15th century, the bishop of Utrecht gave Amsterdam's municipality permission to build a new church on Dam Square, which they completed in 1509 and named de Nieuwe Kerk (the New Church) in order to differentiate it from the older, Oude Kerk.Unfortunately, this building was seriously damaged in 1654 when a fire consumed large parts of central Amsterdam. The Winsor Dam and the Goodnough Dike form the reservoir from impoundments of the three branches of the Swift River. We will use this information to improve this page. The site, like Belchertown's Stone House Museum and other notable draws, is closed for the season, but I got out in the soft snow to inspect the old hand-lettered road marker preserved on the grounds. For more information, call the Quabbin Visitor Center at (413) 323-7221. No offense, says Dale Monette, program coordinator at the Quabbin Visitors Center in Belchertown, but, ''I guarantee he's never seen it." Violations of DCR/DWSP Regulations are punishable by fines up to $50,000 or by imprisonment for not more than one year. It took seven years for the reservoir to reach its capacity of 412 billion gallons. Today it is the principal source of drinking water for people in 46 metropolitan Boston communities. As a teenager in the 1950's I recall a picture in the Boston Globe of a church steeple potruding from the waters of the Quabbin during a period of drout. The orchestra, which had been playing for the firemen's ball throughout the evening, faintly sounded the strain of Auld Lang Synemuffled sounds of sobbing were heard, hardened men were not ashamed to take out their handkerchiefs. Here are some tips for keeping yourself safe and secure when fishing or boating inthe Quabbin Reservoir: Aquatic invasive species can be spread from one water body to another in boats and trailers, and on fishing equipment. It took seven years for the reservoir to reach its capacity of 412 billion gallons. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. Three student housing facilities at Hampshire College in Amherst are named after the discontinued towns of Greenwich, Prescott, and Enfield. Get lost in your music (works for me). Maybe more interesting to history buffs because sometimes you see residue of the old communities that were displaced. On average, the reservoir collects one-half of the water that falls as rain or snow in the watershed area. In the 1980s wildlife biologists introduced more eagles. Use this button to show and access all levels. For ''Around the Quabbin," he worked closely with the local historical societies, noting the regional significance not only of the Quabbin project but of Revolution-era incidents such as Shays' Rebellion. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Easy going in on decline. All activities have restrictions to protect the water supply. A proposed plan to establish a colony of endangered timber rattlesnakes to Mount Zion Island on the Quabbin was suspended indefinitely in 2017 after public opposition.[9]. (debit card, Master Card, Visa, or Discover; American Express is not accepted). This is an amazing part of New England the trails are awesome. The option to fill out paper season pass forms and purchase season passes using cash from the Les and Terry Campbell Quabbin Visitor Center staff or the attendants at the Boat Launch Areasis no longer available. There are a few spots to head down to the water so you can see out across the reservoir. Length 14.7 miElevation gain 1,043 ftRoute type Out & back. To protect the water supply from the threats from unrestricted motorized vehicle use, most areas around the reservoir are publicly accessible only by foot, with limited parking available at some of the surrounding gates. Trail goes in two directions, I only went down one. Water test results indicate that mercury has not affected the drinking water and levels are well below federal drinking water standards. There is a cove which is beautiful. Fed by the three branches of the Swift, and seasonally by the Ware River. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Oars and gas are supplied for each boat rental. QUABBIN RESERVOIR Visitor Center Department of Conservation and Recreation 100 Winsor Dam Road, Belchertown, MA 01007 Phone - 413-323-7221 www.mass.gov/locations/quabbin-reservoir www.mass.gov/dcr/watershed Quabbin Park and Reservoir Middle Gate to ObservationTower Trail Map and Guide 0 0.25 Scale 0.5 mile Today the Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in the Commonwealth, and said to be one of the world's largest domestic water supplies. Hence my 4 star instead of 5 star rating the gnats were annoying, even with spray. Quabbin Reservoir 4.5 84 reviews #327 of 3,287 things to do in Massachusetts Bodies of Water Nature & Wildlife Areas Visit website Call Write a review About Features animals Learn more about animal welfare in tourism Suggest edits to improve what we show. ", On a brief side trip to Montague, about 20 minutes west of the foggy reservoir, that soul began to emerge. Some areas of this route quickly turn into erosion gullies. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. Birds signing along the way. As somebody noted this is really just an access road. Passed a lovely pond on the way, but needed to bushwhack if you wanted a closer view. Vehicles parked in front of gates will be towed at the owner's expense. The appeal of the Quabbin, says David J. McLaughlin, who co-wrote the guidebook with Laren Bright and founded the new ''Pathways to the Past" series of New England guidebooks, is its palpable connection to another time. Click here for information updated every 15 minutes that shows available rental boats at the three Boat Launch Areas. Recreational activities are regulated and limited to protect 3 million peoples drinking water. Please see theInstructions for Using the Quabbin Reservoir Public Access Road and Trail Interactive Mapfor information about the mobile app. "When the buildings in the towns flooded by the reservoir were destroyed, the cellars were left intact. Since 1946, shore fishing has been allowed at the reservoir, and since 1952 a limited boat fishing program has been in existence. Miles of aqueducts began carrying water from what some nostalgically call the "lost valley" to faucets in the Boston area. National security conditions may require the temporary closure of the watershed to all public access. After admiring the stately Greek Revival homes around Petersham Common, I set off west on Route 122, around the northern tip of the Quabbin, toward New Salem. Gorgeous easy hike. Report violations of DCR Regulations, suspicious activities or abnormal environmental conditions to DCR Watershed Rangers or the MA State Police. DCR encourages all customers to bringa Coast Guard approved wearablePersonal Flotation Device (Type I, II, or III PFD or life preserver)for each member of their party. Quabbin Reservoir is one of the largest unfiltered water supplies in the United States. Wont do it again. When I mentioned I would be circumnavigating the central Massachusetts reservoir that supplies Greater Boston with its water, following the route described in a new guidebook called ''Around the Quabbin: Where Nature Flourishes and History Comes to Life" (Pentacle, $12.95), a friend who grew up in the little town of Pelham immediately brought up the steeple story. If you are using a Season Pass to launch a private boat, then please always keep both your Season Pass and Boater ID cards with you. The town of Dana voted to voluntarily give up their land to the project. Metropolitan Boston's demands for fresh water began to outstrip its local supplies in the early part of the nineteenth century. Named for the Nipmuc Indian word meaning meeting of many waters, Quabbin is one of the largest man-made drinking water reservoirs in the United States. Use of upland reservoirs, with gravity-fed rather than pumped supply systems. It holds 412 billion gallons of water, picking up another 1.6 billion for every inch of rainfall. The New Salem and Enfield lookouts offer magnificent views of the reservoir. The tower also offers stunning views of the 18-mile-long Quabbin Reservoir, many of its 60 islands, and thousands of acres of "accidental wilderness" that surround it. This trail is great for birding, hiking, and running . Lime green sprawls of ferns. Be a History Detective at Quabbin Reservoir! Early in the twentieth century, state officials worried that demand for water in the fast-growing Boston area would soon exceed the capacity of existing reservoirs. Completed it in January. However, this does not apply to vehicle access. Camping is prohibited. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ. A lock icon ( Quabbin Reservation - (DCR land within Rts. Steer boats away from swimming loons or perched eagles. Big path and very lightly trafficked only came across 3 other sets of people. However, the history of its construction is a much darker tale than you might expect. Want to report conditions for this trail? Night time pedestrian fishing access for the Quabbin Reservation is allowed with a permitthrough Gates 16, 31, 33, 35, 41, & 43 during the period of one hour past sunset to one hour before sunrise. A comprehensive plan that covers the Quabbin Reservoir, Ware River, Wachusett Reservoir, and Sudbury Reservoir watersheds. This area was formerly part of the town of Enfield, which was annexed by Belchertown, Fishing is allowed in designated areas in the northern portions of the reservoir. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Quabbin Park is Dana Common and F94 Jet Crash Site. This church, built in 1837, located at the very edge of the Quabbin Reservoir, was moved to Orange and then later to New Salem. Named for the Nipmuc Indian word meaning meeting of many waters, Quabbin is one of the largest man-made drinking water reservoirs in the United States. The Old Quabbin Valley, a documentary by Lawrence R. Hott, 1982 (30 min.). With the fog having lifted by the time I reached Quabbin Park, the magnificence of this ''accidental wilderness" was apparent from the grounds of the handsome brick administrative building, which overlooks the southern tip of the reservoir and the 2,640-foot Winsor Dam. Myths and Mysteries of Quabbin Reservoir and Ware River Watershed - Remote Program with the DCR Some area residents undoubtedly did just that when engineers first floated the idea of flooding the valley back in the 1890s. Stay well away from loon and eagle nest sites and loons with chicks. Ultimately, 2,500 people were removed from the valley to make way for the reservoir. While almost all of the park is open to the public, few visitors venture deep into the woods. DCR will continue to sell single dayparking passes,fishing licenses, and boat rentals (. (lat = 42.5236, lon = -72.2874), Boat Launching Area #3 - Gate 43Stephen M. Brewer Fishing Area- Located in Hardwick off Greenwich Road, west of Route 32A. The three Quabbin Reservoir Fishing Boat Launch Areas are now open for the 2020 fishing season, and as of Saturday, Aug. 1, visitors can rent boats, motors, canoes and kayaks on a first-come, first-served basis. Ten-minute limit per boat. Greylock. Katya P / Foursquare. **Afternoon rental starts at 12:30 p.m.DCR will accept only credit cards at the three boat launch areas starting in the 2022 Season (debit card, Master Card, Visa, or Discover; American Express is not accepted). The program opened with footage of a man in a red windbreaker, sitting in a rowboat in the reservoir. Winsor Dam is named for him. [5] Specifically, the Swift River needed to maintain a 20 million gallon per day flow downriver from the dam. As of March 15, 2023, hours are 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. The Board of Health study had anticipated that Swift River water would be required by 1915, but this prediction had proven overly pessimistic. 2001. Three branches of the Swift River fed the valley, which was surrounded by low hills. 202, 122, 32A & 9) with restrictions. The buildings in the towns flooded by the reservoir were removed. The Division of Water Supply Protection has developed an interactive mapwith detailed information about public access roads and trails around the Quabbin Reservoir.