The Prescott Peninsula is a narrow strip of land that extends into the Quabbin Reservoir. The peninsula was once part of the town of Prescott, which was disincorporated in 1938 to make way for the reservoir. The peninsula is now closed to the public and used for research and controlled hunting. 

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.