In the 1920s, Eastern Massachusetts residents placed an increasing demand on their water supply, leading the state to seek new sources. The Quabbin reservoir was created by damming the Swift River and flooding four towns in Central Massachusetts. While the state unincorporated these towns on April 28, 1938, the water did not flow out of the reservoir until September 17, 1941. The Quabbin and companion Wachusett Reservoir were connected with a two-way tunnel that allows for maximum storage capacity and supply by utilizing Ware River runoff. The Quabbin did not fill to capacity until June 22, 1946, at an approximate 412 billion gallons.
Billings, Ellen. Quabbin Reservoir Water Starts Flowing. Unknown, September 1941. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l05-145/. Accessed on October 16, 2024.
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