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DCR Office of Watershed Management

DCR's Division of Water Supply Protection, Office of Watershed Management (DWSP) manages and protects the Quabbin Reservoir, Ware River, Wachusett Reservoir, and Sudbury Reservoir watersheds, the source drinking water supply for 2.7 million people.

Follow the links below to visit the watersheds and find out details about public access rules and maps, water quality, education, planning, forestry, and other natural resource protection activities.

Visit the watersheds

Quabbin Reservoir 
Ware River Watershed  
Wachusett Reservoir 
Sudbury Reservoir 
Explore DWSP's Natural Resource programs 

Who we serve

DWSP provides the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) source water for treatment and distribution to 53 communities.  The DCR/MWRA water supply system is one of the few unfiltered drinking water supplies in the country.

The mission of DWSP is to utilize and conserve water and other natural resources to protect, preserve and enhance the environment of the Commonwealth and to assure the availability of pure water for future generations.

Watershed Management Programs

DCR Watershed Water Quality  Watershed Protection Act  Watershed Education Programs  Public Access Maps, Rules, Fishing, and Hunting Information  DCR Watershed Advisory Committees  Water Supply Protection Spotlight: Salt Reduction 

Upcoming Events

  • Watershed Wildlife: Skull Science 5/20/2026

    Southborough Library, 25 Main St, Southborough, MA 01772
    Wednesday, May 20, 2026
    4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
    A Public Program by Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Interpretive Services

  • Nature Journaling 5/28/2026

    Gale Free Library, 23 Highland Street, Holden, MA 01520
    Thursday, May 28, 2026
    6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
    A Public Program by Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Interpretive Services

  • Bird Outing 5/29/2026

    25 Gates Road, Sterling, MA 01564
    Friday, May 29, 2026
    9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
    A Public Program by Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Interpretive Services

  • Quabbin’s Hidden History: Webster Road 5/30/2026

    Hanks Meadow Parking Area, Ware, MA 01082
    Saturday, May 30, 2026
    11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    A Public Program offered by the Quabbin Visitor Center

  • Tower Trail Habitat Hike 6/4/2026

    Quabbin Tower Trailhead, Quabbin Hill Rd, Ware, MA 01082
    Thursday, June 4, 2026
    10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    A Public Program offered by the Quabbin Visitor Center

  • Explore the Road to Dana Common 6/14/2026

    DCR Quabbin Gate 40, Hardwick Road, Petersham, MA 01366
    Sunday, June 14, 2026
    11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
    A Public Program offered by the Quabbin Visitor Center
See all events   for the DCR Office of Watershed Management

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