Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR): Quabbin Reservoir and Ware River watershed sampling program, 1987-2013

This report is a summary of water quality monitoring results from twenty-four surface water stations established throughout the Quabbin Reservoir and Ware River watersheds and other special investigative samples. The Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Water Supply Protection is the state agency charged with the responsibility of managing Quabbin Reservoir and its surrounding natural resources in order to protect, preserve and enhance the environment of the Commonwealth and to assure the availability of pure water to future generations. As part of this effort, the Environmental Quality Section maintains a comprehensive water quality monitoring program to ensure that Quabbin Reservoir and its tributaries meet state water quality standards. As part of this task, the Environmental Quality Section performs the necessary field work, interprets water quality data and prepares reports of findings. This annual summary is intended to meet the needs of the decision lakers, the concerned public and others whose decisions must reflect water quality considerations. Reservoir water quality data collected by the DCR documents consistently reliable source water quality that fully meets the stringent source water quality criteria stipulated under the Surface Water Treatment Rule. Water quality data are collected monthly except during periods of adverse weather and ice conditions in the winter. Three sampling stations that were routinely sampled in 2010 are profiled in Table 5. Figure 4 may be referenced for the specific locations of each sample site.