(Photo credit: Worcester Central Kids Calendar)
CLINTON — Wachusett Dam Day is set to return to Clinton on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, offering the public a chance to walk across the top of the historic Wachusett Dam between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Division of Water Supply Protection, the event takes place twice a year—once in the spring and again in the fall. The dam, which was closed to the public in the 1990s due to water supply security and public safety concerns, will be open for visitors to explore and learn about the role it plays in the region’s water system.
Constructed in 1905, the Wachusett Dam was the largest gravity dam in the world at the time of its completion. The dam was built as part of a large-scale public works project to create the Wachusett Reservoir, which supplies water to the metropolitan Boston area. The reservoir holds approximately 65 billion gallons of water, making it the second-largest body of water in Massachusetts. This engineering feat required the relocation of several towns, reflecting the scale and ambition of the project. Today, the dam and reservoir remain key components of the Boston water supply system, with DCR Watershed Rangers providing ongoing protection and education about the watershed area.
During the event, DCR Watershed Rangers will be available to share information about the agency’s watershed protection program, which safeguards the Wachusett Reservoir and surrounding areas.
Visitors can park along Route 70, with additional parking available at Clinton Middle School and Clinton High School, located about a mile away. Attendees can access the dam via the North Dike Path, which offers a scenic route to the event. Limited reserved parking is available near the promenade entrance for visitors with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations can be requested in advance by contacting the Wachusett Reservoir Ranger Station.
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For security reasons, backpacks, briefcases, and large bags will not be allowed, and all other items may be subject to search. Dogs are not permitted at the top of the dam, and there will be no restroom facilities on-site.
For more information or specific directions, visitors can contact the Wachusett Reservoir Ranger Station at 978-365-3800. The dam is located at 265 Boylston St., Route 70, Clinton, MA.
