Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Access Rules
Wachusett Reservoir Public Access Protection Zones Map
Wachusett Reservoir Intake Protection Zone Map

Activity

Intake Protection Zone

Reservoir & Tributary Shorelines;
West Waushacum Pond Zone

Tributary Headwaters Zone

A1

A2

B1

B2

C

Vehicle Access

Off Road Driving
(ORVs, ATVs)

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Snowmobiling

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Bicycling

x

x

x

x

ü

x

ü

Foot Access

Walking/Hiking

x

ü

ü

ü

ü

ü

ü

Dog Walking

x

x

x

ü

x

x

x1

Cross-Country Skiing

x

ü

x

ü

ü

ü

ü

Shoreline Fishing

x

x

x

x

x

ü

ü

Fishing with Waders

x

x

x

x

x

ü2

ü

Horseback Riding

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Hunting

x

x

x

x

x

x

ü3

Water Access

Boating – non-motorized

x

x

x

x

x

ü4

ü

Boating – motorized
(including “jet skis”)

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Swimming

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Ice Skating/Ice Fishing

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Other Activities

Camping

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Picnicking

x

x

x

x

x

ü

ü

Fires & Cooking

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Programs/Assemblies

x

x

x

x

x

ü3

x

Trail Clearing/Trail Marking/Advertising

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Collecting/Metal Detecting

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

ü - Public access is allowed in designated areas only x - Activity prohibited
1 Dogs allowed with hunting permit
2 Upstream of the DCR Dam at Oakdale Power Station on the Quinapoxet River and upstream of the Stillwater River confluence with Waushacum Brook.
3 DCR Special Permit required
4 Canoes/Kayaks allowed at: West Waushacum Pond; on the Stillwater River upstream of the steel bridge at Muddy Pond Rd.; on the Quinapoxet River upstream of River Rd. turn-off between Canada Mills and Oakdale Power Station.

Public access is allowed in designated areas only. Any activity that injures or defaces the property of the Commonwealth is strictly prohibited. All alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Night access is prohibited on DCR land in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed. See 350 CMR 11.09(2) for complete list of regulations. For additional information, contact the Wachusett/Sudbury Watershed Ranger Station at (978) 365-3800 or go to www.state.ma.us/mdc/pacc.htm. In an emergency, contact the Watershed Rangers or the Massachusetts State Police at (508) 829-8410.