Framingham Reservoir No. 2 Dam and Gatehouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Framingham Reservoir No. 2 Dam and Gatehouse
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Framingham, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1877 |
| Architect | George A. Clough |
| MPS | Water Supply System of Metropolitan Boston MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 89002290 |
| Added to NRHP | January 18, 1990 |
The Framingham Reservoir No. 2 Dam and Gatehouse is a historic site in Framingham, Massachusetts. It was an important part of Boston's old water supply system. This dam and its gatehouse helped control water flow from the Sudbury River.
The reservoir is also known as the Brackett Reservoir. It was built between 1877 and 1879. This project helped expand the water supply for the growing city of Boston.
Contents
What is This Place?
The Framingham Reservoir No. 2 Dam is very long, about 1,376 feet (419 meters). It has a special overflow area in the middle. The dam's main part is made of strong granite rocks set in cement. Earth was piled up on both sides to make it even stronger.
The Dam's Design
The overflow area of the dam has cut granite on the downstream side. This is where water would flow over. The upstream side, facing the reservoir, has an earthen slope. The top of the dam was made of granite. It once had iron parts to hold "flashboards." These boards could be added to raise the water level even more.
The Gatehouse Building
The gatehouse is a rectangular building made of granite. It has a steep, sloped roof and a brick chimney. There's also a small, curved window on the roof called an "eyebrow dormer." The main door and windows are shaped like round arches.
Inside the gatehouse, there are controls to manage the water. These controls could change how much water flowed out of the reservoir. They also managed water from a 4-foot (1.2-meter) pipe connected to Reservoir No. 1. Another 2-foot (0.6-meter) pipe connected to the Ashland Reservoir.
Building the Water System
Contractors from upstate New York built the dam. James Fagin of Boston built the gatehouse. Its design came from George Clough, who was the city architect for Boston.
Why It Was Taken Out of Service
In 1895, the Metropolitan Water Board was created. This group was in charge of Boston's water supply. They soon stopped using Reservoir No. 2. This was because the water quality was not good enough for drinking.
A Historic Landmark
Even though it no longer supplies water, the dam and gatehouse are important. They show how cities used to get their water. Because of its history, the Framingham Reservoir No. 2 Dam and Gatehouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This means it's a special place worth protecting.
