Quabbin Reservoir

Franklin, Massachusetts, US

Gate 35

186 species

Worcester, Massachusetts, US

Gate 40

185 species

Franklin, Massachusetts, US

Gate 22

178 species

Hampshire, Massachusetts, US

Gate 5

173 species

Worcester, Massachusetts, US

Gate 37

172 species

Franklin, Massachusetts, US

Gate 33

170 species

Worcester, Massachusetts, US

Gate 43

162 species

Tips for Birding

When submitting eBird observations at Quabbin Reservoir, it is most helpful to start a new checklist for each hotspot around the reservoir. 

If you carefully keep your bird records by county, be sure to use the specific hotspots in this park so that the birds will be assigned to the proper county. The Quabbin Reservoir has sections in Franklin, Hampshire, and Worcester Counties

About this Location

The Quabbin Reservoir is a remarkable engineering feat that provides water to millions of people in Massachusetts. It was constructed in the 1930s by damming the Swift River and flooding four towns in the process. The reservoir covers an area of 39 square miles and has a capacity of 412 billion gallons. The Quabbin Reservoir is a popular destination for fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The reservoir is surrounded by a protected forest that hosts a variety of plants and animals, some of which are rare or endangered. 

Quabbin Reservoir is one of the largest unfiltered water supplies in the United States. Along with the Wachusett Reservoir and Ware River, it is the source of high-quality water for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority water supply system. Recreational activities are regulated and limited to protect 3 million people’s drinking water.

Content from Official Website

Last updated December 2, 2023

Quabbin Reservoir showing county lines