PUBLIC ACCESS POLICY SUMMARY
WARE RIVER WATERSHED
 
Activity Ware River Reservation Ware River
Off-Reservation 		Ware River Intake
VEHICLE ACCESS
Motorized
Driving - vehicles registered for public roadways o 1 o1 prohibited
Snowmobiling - DCR/MWSP designated trails only o2 o2 prohibited
Operating ATV's - dirt bikes, ORVs, etc. prohibited3 prohibited3 prohibited3
Non-Motorized
Bicycling - DCR/MWSP designated trails only o4 o4 prohibited
FOOT ACCESS
Bird Watching/Nature Study o o prohibited
Hiking/Walking/Snow-shoeing o o prohibited
Cross-Country Skiing o o prohibited
Hunting & Trapping o5 o5 prohibited
Ice Fishing & Ice Skating o6 o6 prohibited
Shore Fishing o6 o6 prohibited
Fires & Cooking -includes gas grills prohibited prohibited prohibited
Dog Walking - includes hunting with dogs o13 o13 prohibited
Horseback Riding - DCR/MWSP Designated trails o14 o14 prohibited
WATER ACCESS
Boating (motorized) prohibited7 o8 prohibited
Boating (non-motorized) o o prohibited
Swimming/Wading o9 o10 prohibited
Operating PWC (personal watercraft are jet skiis) prohibited prohibited prohibited
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Overnight Camping prohibited o15 prohibited
Organized Sports o11 o11 prohibited
Programs/Assemblies o12 o12 prohibited
Fishing Derbies o11 o11 prohibited
Trail Marking/Advertising prohibited prohibited prohibited
Trail Clearing prohibited prohibited prohibited
Possessing Alcoholic Beverages prohibited prohibited prohibited
Collecting/Metal Detecting prohibited prohibited prohibited
Target Shooting prohibited prohibited prohibited
Other Check with DCR/MWSP Visitor Center
LEGEND: prohibited Prohibited; o Allowed with general restrictions; o# Allowed with specific restrictions.
 
o General public access on DCR/MWSPlands is allowed through gates/barways in designated areas only. Any activity which injures or defaces the property of the Commonwealth is strictly prohibited. Night access is allowed on DCR/MWSP lands in the Ware River Watershed. These policies are based on DCR regulations.
































































Specific Restrictions for Public Access
on DCR/MWSP Lands in the Ware River Watershed

o1 Registered motorized vehicles are those registered for operationd on public ways. Their access is restricted to certain maintained DCR roads at open gates. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on DCR roads beyond closed gates or barways.
o2 Snowmobiles are allowed with specific restrictions on DCR/MWSP designated snowmobile trails only. Restrictions include season, snow depth, mph, etc.. DCR/MWSPesignated Snowmobile Trail Map is available from the Quabbin Visitor Center, Ware River Field Office or DCR/DWM web site.
o3 The operation of all-terrain vehicles is prohibited on DCR/MWSP lands and roads.
o4 Bicycling is allowed on DCR/DWM designated bicycle roads and trails and public roadways. Off-road bicycling and off-road trail riding is prohibited. Bicycling is prohibited during mud season when DCR/DWM roads and trails are closed by gates or signs. DCR/DWM Designated Bicycle Trail Map is available from the Quabbin Visitor Center, Ware River Field Office or on the DCR/MWSP web site.
o5 Hunting is allowed with a valid Massachusetts hunting license according to State regulations. State regulations prohibit hunting on Sundays.
o6 Fishing access is allowed with a valid Massachusetts fishing license according to State regulations.
o7 Motorboat use within waters of the Ware River Reservation (e.g., Whitehall Pond) is prohibited.
o8

Motorboat access from DCR/MWSP lands in the Ware River Off-Reservation is allowed with these restrictions.
  • Motorboat access facilities (ramps) are provided only on DCR/MWSP lands at the following locations: Brigham Pond, Demond Pond, Comet Pond, and Long Pond.
  • Boat motor size off DCR/MWSP ramps is limited to 20 hp(2 stroke) and 25 hp (4 stroke).
  • DCR/MWSP annually issues a limited number of DCR/MWSP Long Pond Access Permits for boats with motors greater that 20 hp. This permit allows the holder to use a 20+ hp motor on Long Pond from Memorial Day to the last day in September and between 10 AM and 6 PM. Contact the Quabbin Visitor Center for more information.
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o9 Limited swimming access is allowed within a designated area of Rutland State Park, a Division of State Parks and Recreation managed facility. See posted restrictions.
o10 Limited swimming access is allowed in a designated area on Comet Pond, according to posted restrictions and during the designated season.
o11 These activities are allowed only by written permission from the Superintendent, Quabbin Section
o12 Groups up to 25 individuals are asked to notify the DCR/MWSPM prior to access on DCR/MWSP lands. Groups exceeding more than 25 individuals or 15 horseback riders with horse (in the Ware River Watershed only), are required to submit a DCR/MWSP Group Access Permit application at least 3 weeks prior to planned access. Contact Quabbin Visitor Center, Ware River Field Office, or DCR/MWSP’s web site for an access permit application.
o13 The DCR/MWSP requests visitors to pickup and properly dispose of any fecal waste within 100’ of a tributary or surface waters
o14 Horseback riding access is allowed on DCR/MWSP Designated Horseback Riding Roads and Trails only in the Ware River Watershed and according to specific restrictions (e.g,., no riding during mud season, permit required for group rides of 15 or more, no watering of horses in tributaries, etc.) See Fact Sheet. DCR/MWSP Designated Horseback Riding Roads and Trails Map is available from the Quabbin Visitor Center, Ware River Field Office and the DCR/DWM web site.
o15 Camping includes the use of tents, trailers, lean-tos, and motor homes. Camping access is prohibited with the Ware River Reservation. Limited camping on DCR/MWSP Off-Reservation is allowed with written permission from the Superintendent only. Contact the Ware River Field office for more information (508) 882-363

 



































 

 

 

Map
Ware River Watershed Reservation includes DCR/MWSP lands within the bounds of Rt. 68, 62, 122, 122A and 56.
Ware River Watershed Off-Reservation includes DCR/MWSP lands within the Ware River watershed system excluding the Ware River Watershed Reservation
Ware River Intake Protection Zone is a 141 acre area surrounding the intake owned by the DCR.

(Maps requires Adobe Reader)










Contact information:
  • Quabbin Visitor Center – Visit the Center at the Winsor Dam in Belchertown open 9-4:30 daily. (413) 323-7221
  • Ware River Field Office – Contact the DCR/MWSP field staff at (508) 882-3636
  • DCR/MWSP Watershed Rangers – Contact the Watershed Rangers at (413) 323-0191
  • Massachusetts State Police – Report violations/emergencies to the State Police at (413) 323-7561 (*SP)
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The Commission and it's employees are not responsible for any damage to or loss of property sustained by visitors or for any injury or loss of life which may be incurred in connection with public use of the reservoir or watershed system.