Quabbin Reservoir, Water reservoir in Massachusetts, United States.
Quabbin Reservoir is an artificial lake in central Massachusetts formed by flooding the Swift River Valley behind Winsor Dam and Goodnough Dike. Its 38.6-square-mile surface is bordered by forested hills, with a concrete boat ramp and riprap of broken stone at the water's edge. The reservoir holds 412 billion US gallons and supplies Boston and 40 other communities.
Construction lasted from 1930 to 1939 and resulted in four communities being submerged to provide drinking water for the growing population in the east. Residents of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and Prescott had to leave their homes before the dams were closed.
The name derives from the Nipmuc word "Quaben", meaning "place of many waters", though some sources trace it to a chief named Nani-Quaben or Nine-Quabin. The reservoir's drowned towns are commemorated by more than 7,500 bodies moved to Quabbin Park Cemetery before the valley was flooded.
Access is through several entrances that open during daylight hours, with hiking trails and fishing spots being the main activities. The best time to visit is in spring and autumn when the forests around the water change their colors.
The water undergoes no technical filtering but is naturally cleaned by the surrounding forest alone before entering the pipes. This method supplies about 40 percent of Massachusetts residents with drinking water without chemical treatment.
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