Framingham Reservoir No. 1 Dam and Gatehouse

Framingham Reservoir No. 1 Dam is an earthen embankment with a granite core that holds back a large body of water across the Sudbury area. The gatehouse next to the dam contained mechanical controls and connections to direct water through pipes to other parts of the water supply network.

The dam was built in the late 1870s as part of Boston's plan to expand its water supply system to growing communities nearby. Soon after completion, officials realized the water stored here had quality issues and changed how they used this particular reservoir.

The stone gatehouse reflects the care taken in designing water infrastructure, with its solid construction and traditional architectural details that still mark the landscape today. Its presence shows how communities once invested in permanent structures to manage resources they depended on.

The dam area is protected but can be viewed from accessible pathways in the surrounding landscape, and photography is typically permitted from public access areas. The site offers good views from ground level where visitors can see the full span of the structure across the valley.

The reservoir was taken out of active service within a few years because muddy sediment at its bottom discolored the water and made it unsuitable for public use. This early failure taught engineers important lessons about water storage that shaped decisions about other reservoirs in the region.

Location: Massachusetts

Architects: George Albert Clough

GPS coordinates: 42.29167,-71.44278

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:07