1898 photo of the Sudbury Reservoir dam overflow at Southborough

Ashland, Framingham, Hopkinton, Marlborough, Northborough, Southborough, and Westborough.
978-365-3800

In 1878 a system of reservoirs was constructed to provide water supply by holding back the Sudbury river, to supplement the Lake Cochituate system in Natick. These new reservoirs were Sudbury, Whitehall, Hopkinton, Ashland, Stearns, Brackett, and Foss. In 1947 the Whitehall, Hopkinton, Ashland and Cochituate Reservoirs were turned into State Parks, and in 1976 the entire Sudbury System was officially reclassified as an emergency water supply. Today only the Sudbury Reservoir and Foss (Framingham Reservoir No. 3) are classified as a reserve drinking water supply. The DCR owns and manages 4,943 acres of land in the Sudbury Reservoir watershed system.

Things to know before you go
The primary purpose of DCR water and surrounding lands is drinking water supply. Public access, therefore, is carefully regulated and controlled to protect over 2 million people’s source of drinking water. State regulations require all entry and exit through gates or other designated areas only. Anything that could pollute the water supply system, such as litter or refuse of any sort, is prohibited. Please observe restrictions on recreational activities. Direct water contact activities, such as swimming and wading, are strictly prohibited by regulation.

Maps and Regulations
Click here to view public access maps
Click here to view public access policy and rules
Click here for general rules and regulations

Directions
Sudbury Reservoir is located in east central Massachusetts, west of Framingham
From Boston: take Rte. 9 west, then Rte. 30 off Rte. 9; after crossing the reservoir, turn right on Framingham Rd., then right again on Acre Bridge Rd., parking is on the right.