Ashley Reservoir, a Class II hazard
reservoir
A reservoir (; from French ''réservoir'' ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam. Such a dam may be either artificial, built to store fresh water or it may be a natural formation.
Reservoirs can be created in a number of ways, including contro ...
, is the secondary drinking supply for the city of
Holyoke, Massachusetts. The reservoir, consisting of Wright Pond and Ashley Pond, has an impound capacity of more than 795 million gallons of water and a safe yield of 2.1 million gallons of water per day.
The reservoir's construction finished and it became fully operational in 1897. Ashley Reservoir is connected to a smaller reservoir McLean Reservoir, named after Holyoke Water Works Commissioner Hugh McLean, through a water-pumping plant that is operated by the
Holyoke Water Works
The Holyoke Water Works (HWW), sometimes referred to as the Holyoke Reservoir System, is a public drinking water utility and municipal service agency of the City of , which provides clean drinking water to that city. Founded in 1872 by an act of ...
. The reservoir has a surrounding gravel road open to civilian recreational use.
Ecology
The reservoir is home to populations of bears, deer, geese, ducks, beavers, and many other animal species. Maple, oak and red and white pine line the uplands, with red osier, alder, buttonbush and other wetlands shrubs closer to the water. Sunfish and milfoil can be seen underwater.
Watershed public access and recreation
In order to protect the water supply from the threats from unrestricted motorized vehicle use, most areas around the reservoir are publicly accessible only by foot, with limited parking available at some of the surrounding gates.
Fishing is not allowed in the reservoir to protect against aquatic invasive species.
Regulations designed to ensure pure water include the prohibiting of Dogs, horseback riding, camping, smoking, sledding and motorcycle riding are among prohibited activities from the reservoir and abutting property. Pedestrians are allowed on the paths and roads around the reservoir but the scenic expanse that contains a drinking water supply limits activities.
References
External links
*FEMA 2013 City of Holyoke Flood Ma
*Tighe-Carmody Reservoi
*Whiting Street Reservoi
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Reservoirs in Massachusetts
Geography of Holyoke, Massachusetts
1873 establishments in Massachusetts