Quabbin Reservoir

Quabbin Reservoir
November 2005
Location of Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts, USA.
Location of Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts, USA.
Quabbin Reservoir
Location of Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts, USA.
Location of Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts, USA.
Quabbin Reservoir
LocationMassachusetts, US
Coordinates42°21′33″N 72°18′00″W / 42.35917°N 72.30000°W / 42.35917; -72.30000
Lake typeReservoir
Primary inflowsSwift River
Primary outflowsSwift River
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length18 miles (28.9 km)
Surface area38.6 mi2 (99.97 km2)
Average depth51 ft (16 m)
Max. depth151 ft (46 m)
Water volume412,000,000,000 US gal (1.56 km3)
Shore length1181 mi (291 km)
Surface elevation522 ft (159 m)
SettlementsBelchertown, Petersham, Hardwick, Ware, New Salem, Shutesbury, Pelham[1]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

The Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in Massachusetts, United States, and was built between 1930 and 1939. Along with the Wachusett Reservoir, it is the primary water supply for Boston, 65 miles (105 km) to the east, and 40 other cities and towns in Greater Boston. The Quabbin also supplies water to three towns west of the reservoir and acts as backup supply for three others.[2] By 1989, it supplied water for 2.5 million people, about 40% of the state's population at the time.[1] It has an aggregate capacity of 412 billion US gallons (1,560 GL) and an area of 38.6 square miles (99.9 km2).

  1. ^ a b Quabbin Reservoir: water quality and sediment data report, 1989. Westborough, MA: Division of Water Pollution Control, Technical Services Branch. 1990.
  2. ^ "MWRA Online". www.mwra.state.ma.us. Retrieved March 21, 2018.