The Watersheds
Educational Programs
Fact Sheets & Newsletters
Payment in Lieu of Taxes
Permits
Plans
Public Access
Water Quality
Water Supply Protection Trust
Watershed Forestry
Watershed Protection Act
Contact Us

SPINY WATER FLEA ALERT

 

Office of Watershed Management

 

Division of
Water Supply Protection

 

 

Public Access

View from Enfield Lookout


The Division of Water Supply Protection is responsible for collection and safe storage of water, protection of reservoir water, protection of reservoir water quality, and management of DWM watershed land. Public access on DCR drinking waters supply lands is carefully regulated and controlled to protect the drinking water supply for over 2 million people.

Public access to and recreational use of drinking water supply lands and surface water supplies are complex and controversial issues for water supply managers due to the inherent conflict between protection of a drinking water supply and demands to use water supply lands for other purposes. Human activity on or near source waters serve as potential routes for the introduction of disease causing agents, so purveyors of drinking water must exercise caution when considering policies for recreation on water supply lands.

The DCR describes its public access policies in Public Access Plans for the Quabbin Reservoir Watershed(2006), the Wachusett Reservoir Watershed (2011), the Ware River (2010), and the Sudbury Reservoir Watershed (2010).  These Public Access Plans are based on state and federal regulations and are developed with input from citizens, recreation organizations local officials and other state and federal agencies.

Please select from the options below for specific rules, regulations, maps and other recreation opportunities in the region.

Public Access Rules

Quabbin Reservoir
Quabbin Fishing Rules
Wachusett Reservoir

Wachusett Reservoir Fishing Rules
Ware River
Sudbury Reservoir
General Rules

 

Other Information

Public Access Maps
Permits

Quabbin Deer Hunt

Swift River Bridge Project

Swift River Trail Improvements

Birds of Wachusett Reservoir Watershed

Wachusett Greenways


 

For additional information, please contact:

Quabbin Visitors Center
485 Ware Road; PO Box 628
Belchertown, MA 01007
(413) 323-7221
e-mail: clif.read@state.ma.us
or

Wachusett/Sudbury Rangers
506 Wilson St.
Clinton, MA 01510
(978) 365-3800