The Encyclopedia of Fall: Q is for Quabbin

The creation of the Quabbin Reservoir in central Massachusetts came with a cost: The sites of four communities in the Swift River Valley were drowned out of existence when it was built in the 1930s. In their place came two huge earthen dams and a new body of fresh drinking water for metro-Boston residents: a reservoir capable of holding 412 billion gallons. But what was originally an engineering marvel is now a place of wonder for nature lovers, spanning 39 square miles, with 181 miles of shoreline. In the decades since Quabbin was created, the valley has undergone a slow transformation back to a place without mankind, a place of deer and muskrats, hemlocks and hardwoods. Fall, especially, brings a brilliant palette of color, and solitude. You may visit, but you may no longer stay here. And that’s part of Quabbin’s beauty. For more on hiking near the reservoir, as well as the area’s history, go to: mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/quabbin.htm

Ian Aldrich

Ian Aldrich is the executive editor at Yankee, where he has worked for more for two decades. As the magazine’s staff feature writer, he writes stories that delve deep into issues facing communities throughout New England. In 2019 he received gold in the reporting category at the annual City-Regional Magazine conference for his story on New England’s opioid crisis. Ian’s work has been recognized by both the Best American Sports and Best American Travel Writing anthologies. He lives with his family in Dublin, New Hampshire.

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