Wachusett Dam, Historic dam in Clinton, Massachusetts
Wachusett Dam is a water control structure in Clinton, Massachusetts, that holds back the Nashua River to create a large reservoir. The impounded water serves as the primary drinking water source for communities across the Greater Boston region.
Construction began in 1897 and required relocating railroad and road networks as well as moving thousands of burials from a local cemetery. The project reached completion in 1905 and stands as an example of major infrastructure expansion of that era.
The structure shaped the region's character through visible reminders of communities that once thrived in this valley before the water arrived. Residents and visitors still feel the weight of this transformation when looking across the reservoir today.
The reservoir offers access to recreation areas and is surrounded by shoreline where you can walk and observe wildlife. Visitors should prepare for changing weather and wear sturdy shoes to explore the surrounding grounds.
The structure was excavated mostly by hand without the machinery that would later become standard for such projects, making it a remarkable feat of manual labor. The hands-on approach meant the work took years, but the finished result stands as proof of what workers could accomplish with determination.
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