Common questions

Can you swim in the Quabbin?

Can you swim in the Quabbin?

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 Quabbin Reservoir open to the public?

Visitor Center – Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Visitor Center will also be open on Thursdays beginning on September 16, 2021. Boat rentals – Boat rentals are available during the 2021 fishing season.

Can you walk at Quabbin Reservoir?

The Quabbin covers 39 square miles, with 181 miles of shoreline. You can walk more than 40 gates and tons of trails, but recreational activities, including fishing, are regulated and limited to protect the water.

What does the word Quabbin mean?

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 camp at the Quabbin?

A beautiful, spring-through-fall family campground secluded in a pine forest, with over 100 fully-equipped and tenting sites. Swimming pool, playground, convenience store, and laundry on-site.

Why was the Quabbin Reservoir made?

The Quabbin Reservoir was created in the 1930s to supply Boston with water, as other reservoirs were reaching the limits of their supply. The project involved relocating the residents of four towns and the closure of roads, then clearing a vast tract of forest to make way for over 400 billion gallons of water.

Are boats allowed on Quabbin Reservoir?

All private boats must have an intact Quabbin Boat Seal (QBS) to launch on the reservoir. You can make an appointment by calling the Quabbin Visitor Center at (413) 323-7221. Seals must be intact when arriving at the reservoir for launching.

Is Quabbin open for hiking?

Quabbin Reservoir and Visitor Center Quabbin Reservoir is one of the largest man-made public water supplies in the United States, permitting shoreline fishing, hiking, bicycling, walking, bird watching, snowshoeing, and hunting with restrictions.

What is the purpose of the Winsor Dam?

The Winsor Dam and the Goodnough Dike impound the waters of the Swift River and the Ware River Diversion forming the Quabbin Reservoir, the largest water body in Massachusetts.

Can you canoe in the Quabbin Reservoir?

Private canoe and kayak access to Quabbin Reservoir is not allowed due to concerns with the introduction of aquatic invasive species. Fishing/ Sporting Licenses or Quabbin Fishing Licenses are required for renting boats. All boating regulations for Quabbin Reservoir apply to these crafts.

Can you kayak in the Quabbin?

How long did it take to complete the Quabbin Reservoir?

seven years
It took seven years for the reservoir to fill, but the metropolis began drawing water in 1941 and still does to this day.

How big is the Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts?

Quabbin Reservoir is one of the largest unfiltered water supplies in the United States. Along with the Wachusett Reservoir and Ware River, it is the source of high quality water for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority water supply system. The 412 billion gallon reservoir covers 39 square miles with 181 miles of shoreline.

Is there parking at the entrance to Quabbin Reservoir?

DCR recommends using Gate 29 on Route 202 to access this section of the Quabbin Reservation. There is limited parking available at the main entrance to Quabbin Park. To avoid overcrowding, consider entering Quabbin Park through the Middle or Eastern entrances and parking at Goodnough Dike, Hank’s Meadow, or Quabbin Tower.

Is the New Salem lookout at Quabbin Reservoir open?

The New Salem and Enfield lookouts offer magnificent views of the reservoir. You may fish by boat or along the shoreline. There are restrictions to protect the water supply. Boats are available to rent. The Quabbin Visitors Center is open 4 days a week and offers many programs.

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Ruth Doyle