Weston Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Weston Reservoir |
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 Weston Reservoir
Location in Massachusetts
Weston Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Weston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°20′53″N 71°17′31″W / 42.34806°N 71.29194°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | 240 million US gallons per day (910 ML/d) |
| Primary outflows | 240 million US gallons per day (910 ML/d) |
| Catchment area | 60 acres (24 ha) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | ≈2.2 mi (3.5 km) |
| Max. width | ≈1.6 mi (2.6 km) |
| Surface area | ≈3.5 sq mi (9.1 km2) |
| Average depth | 58 ft (18 m) |
| Max. depth | 110 ft (34 m) |
| Water volume | 200×106 US gal (0.76 hm3) |
| Shore length1 | ≈4 mi (6.4 km) |
| Surface elevation | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Settlements | Weston |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
The Weston Reservoir is an important part of the water system that provides drinking water to the greater Boston area in Massachusetts. It's managed by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). You can find it in the middle of Weston, and a main entrance for visitors is on Ash Street.
What is the Weston Reservoir?
This reservoir is a large body of water that helps store and distribute water. It's like a big holding tank for the water supply. It's part of a much larger system that brings water from far away to homes and businesses in Boston and nearby towns.
How it Connects to Other Water Sources
For many years, until the 1960s, the Weston Reservoir was one of the two main places near Boston that received water. It got its water from the Sudbury Reservoir through a special channel called the Weston Aqueduct. This aqueduct started working in December 1903.
Later, in the 1930s, the water system grew even bigger. It started including water from the Quabbin Reservoir. This water traveled to the Sudbury Reservoir first, passing through the Wachusett Reservoir and the Wachusett Aqueduct.
Since the mid-1900s, this whole water system has been updated. Now, many parts of the system that carry water are underground. The Weston Reservoir is still a very important backup connection. It can send water to two large underground storage tanks located in another part of Weston, near the Massachusetts Turnpike.
How People Use the Area
The area around the Weston Reservoir is a popular spot for people who enjoy walking. The MWRA takes care of this reservoir, along with several other open reservoirs like Sudbury, Foss, and Chestnut Hill. These reservoirs act as a backup system for distributing water.
The grounds of the Weston Reservoir are also used by the MWRA's Emergency Service Unit. They use the space for training exercises and to store their emergency trucks and equipment.
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