The Wachusett Reservoir was created from 7 square miles of farmland, all of it covered with millions of cubic yards of rich, organic topsoil, great for crops but very bad at keeping water clean. It all had to stripped from the reservoir basin and moved, up to five miles, to the great North Dike.
This is the story of how men with shovels managed to move a mountain of dirt from an area twice the size of Lower Manhattan.
Truly the “largest hand dug reservoir in the world”.
Diversity at the Dam – Strong men came from all over to the huge project where there was opportunity for all who were willing to work hard for a good wage.
The Wachusett Aqueduct delivered water, by tunnel and open stream, to the Sudbury Reservoir in Framingham 12 miles away. Since replaced, it still functions as a backup water supply.
Channel Velocity Control – it was imperative to slow the water down in the spillway before it could erode the banks of the millpond and, perhaps, topple the railroad bridge.
Get a Horse! – The horse had been around for centuries but was far from obsolete. Here is the story of the horse and its contribution to the Wachusett Dam & Reservoir.
The Villages at West Boylston – Four separate villages surrounding the Old Church were submerged. Here is their story. Presented by students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.