Arlington Reservoir

Arlington Reservoir
source
Lake name	Arlington Reservoir
Location	Massachusetts, United States
Type	Reservoir
Inflow	Mill Brook (Massachusetts), Jason River
Outflow	Shawsheen River
Basin countries	United States
Settlement	Arlington, Massachusetts, Lexington, Massachusetts

Arlington Reservoir. The reservoir is situated near the Minuteman National Historical Park and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, including fans of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is also close to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, making it a favorite spot for students and faculty from these institutions, such as Noam Chomsky and Lawrence Summers. The reservoir is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and is part of the Middlesex Fells Reservation, which is also home to the Middlesex Fells and the Stoneham, Massachusetts section of the Northern Strand Community Trail.

Introduction

Arlington Reservoir is a Reservoir located in Arlington, Massachusetts, and Lexington, Massachusetts, near the Burlington, Massachusetts border, and is close to the Woburn, Massachusetts and Bedford, Massachusetts areas. The reservoir is a popular spot for Recreational fishing, and is home to a variety of fish species, including Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Chain pickerel, which are also found in nearby Lake Cochituate and Lake Quannapowitt. The reservoir is also a favorite spot for Birdwatching, with species such as the American crow, Common grackle, and Red-winged blackbird being commonly spotted, similar to those found in the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors to the reservoir can also explore the surrounding area, which includes the Old Schwamb Mill and the Arlington Center for the Arts, which have hosted events featuring Yo-Yo Ma and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Geography

The reservoir is located in the Eastern United States, near the Atlantic Coastal Plain, and is part of the Shawsheen River watershed, which also includes the Merrimack River and the Charles River. The reservoir is surrounded by hills and forests, including the Middlesex Fells, which are also home to the Breakheart Reservation and the Lynn Woods Reservation. The reservoir is approximately 0.5 miles long and 0.25 miles wide, and has a maximum depth of around 30 feet, similar to Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Sunapee. The reservoir is fed by several streams, including Mill Brook (Massachusetts) and Jason River, which are also part of the Ipswich River watershed, and is close to the Sudbury River and the Concord River.

History

The reservoir was created in the late 19th century, as part of a larger effort to provide water and Hydroelectric power to the surrounding area, including the City of Boston and the Town of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The reservoir was built by the Arlington Water Department, which is now part of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, and was designed by engineers from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, including William Barclay Parsons and George Westinghouse. The reservoir has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including a major renovation in the 1980s, which was overseen by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Recreation

The reservoir is a popular spot for outdoor recreation, including Fishing, Boating, and Hiking. The reservoir is home to a variety of fish species, including Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Chain pickerel, which are also found in nearby Lake Cochituate and Lake Quannapowitt. The reservoir is also a favorite spot for Birdwatching, with species such as the American crow, Common grackle, and Red-winged blackbird being commonly spotted, similar to those found in the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors to the reservoir can also explore the surrounding area, which includes the Old Schwamb Mill and the Arlington Center for the Arts, which have hosted events featuring Yo-Yo Ma and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Environmental Impact

The reservoir has had a significant impact on the local environment, including the Shawsheen River watershed, which also includes the Merrimack River and the Charles River. The reservoir has altered the natural flow of the river, and has affected the local Aquatic ecosystem, including the Fish and Plant species that depend on it, such as those found in the Cape Cod National Seashore and the Boston Harbor Islands. The reservoir is also a source of Water pollution, including Sedimentation and Eutrophication, which can affect the water quality and the local Wildlife, including the Bald eagle and the Osprey. Efforts are being made to mitigate these impacts, including the implementation of Best management practices and the creation of Wetlands and Habitat restoration projects, such as those found in the Everglades National Park and the Okefenokee Swamp.

Management and Operations

The reservoir is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, which is responsible for maintaining the reservoir and its surrounding area, including the Middlesex Fells Reservation and the Breakheart Reservation. The reservoir is also part of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority system, which provides water and Wastewater treatment services to the surrounding area, including the City of Boston and the Town of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The reservoir is operated by a team of engineers and technicians from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, who are responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the reservoir, including the Water treatment and Water distribution systems, similar to those found in the New York City Water Supply System and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Category:Reservoirs in Massachusetts