Sudbury Reservoir
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Hidden Reservoir — 2-billion-gallon reservoir surrounded by protected watershed — Boston’s backup water supply
Sudbury Reservoir is a 2-billion-gallon reservoir in Southborough — part of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) system that provides backup water supply for the greater Boston area. The reservoir’s protected watershed creates a scenic landscape of forest and open water visible from Route 9 and the Massachusetts Turnpike. While swimming is prohibited, walking trails around portions of the reservoir offer peaceful nature walks in the suburban MetroWest region.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Southborough, Worcester County, MA |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Water | 2 BILLION gallons! |
| Note | No swimming — Boston’s water! |
About Sudbury Reservoir
Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough is part of the Metropolitan Boston water supply system — a 563-acre reservoir surrounded by protected watershed lands. The reservoir and its buffer zones provide important wildlife habitat in the rapidly developing western suburbs of Boston. The perimeter trail offers views across the water.
Things to Do
Walking and jogging the reservoir perimeter paths, birdwatching (the reservoir attracts waterfowl and osprey), fishing (with permit), and enjoying views across the water. Swimming is prohibited — it’s a drinking water supply.
About Sudbury Reservoir
Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough provides passive recreation around one of Metropolitan Boston’s historic water supply reservoirs. Built in 1875-1878 by the Boston Water Works, the reservoir is part of the Sudbury Aqueduct system — an engineering feat that brought clean drinking water to Boston and ended the cholera epidemics that plagued the city. The surrounding 1,000+ acres of watershed land provide protected green space.
Things to Do
Walking the reservoir perimeter trails, birdwatching, fishing (limited), nature photography, and studying the 19th-century water engineering that saved Boston from cholera.
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