Tully Lake, of
Royalston, Massachusetts
Royalston is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,250 at the 2020 census.
History
Royalston is a small town in the North Quabbin area of northwestern-central Massachusetts. It was named after Isaac ...
, is a reservoir and
flood control
Flood control methods are used to reduce or prevent the detrimental effects of flood waters."Flood Control", MSN Encarta, 2008 (see below: Further reading). Flood relief methods are used to reduce the effects of flood waters or high water level ...
project constructed by the
(USACE) in 1949 for 1.6 million dollars. The project prevents flooding of the greater
Connecticut River and
Millers River
The Millers River is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed April 1, 2011 river in northern Massachusetts, originating in Ashburnham and joining the Connecticut River just ...
valleys and provides a variety of recreational opportunities, including a campground operated by
The Trustees of Reservations. Tully Lake is an important link in the
Tully Trail
The Tully Trail is a scenic loop trail located in the towns of Royalston, Orange, and Warwick, Massachusetts near the New Hampshire border. The route crosses several ledges with sweeping views of the surrounding rural countryside and passes thre ...
.
Flood control
As of 2007, the USACE reported that Tully Lake had prevented an estimated $26 million in flood damages. The dam's capacity is of water; it can contain 7.72 inches of rainfall runoff and has a downstream channel capacity of . The closest the lake has come to capacity was in 1987, when it rose to 62%.
Recreation
Tully Lake is open to fishing, small boats, hiking, cross country skiing, mountain biking, picnicking, hunting (in season), and swimming. Motor vehicles are not allowed on the property. The USACE maintains a
disc golf course, a mountain bike trail, and a picnic area. The Trustees of Reservations, a non-profit conservation organization, operates a 35 site tent-only camping facility on Tully Lake, open seasonally.
The Tully Trail, a recreational trail cooperatively managed by the USACE, TTOR, the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts (Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut Massachusett_writing_systems.html" ;"title="nowiki/> məhswatʃəwiːsət.html" ;"title="Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət">Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət'' En ...
, the
National Park Service
The National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the United States federal government within the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages all national parks, most national monuments, and other natural, historical, and recreational propert ...
, and the
Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, runs along the northern shore of Tully Lake. The trail passes by
Doane's Falls
Doane's Falls is a series of five waterfalls located in Royalston, Massachusetts along an section of Lawrence Brook, a tributary of the Millers River that originates from Laurel Lake in Fitzwilliam. The falls are part of a open space preserve ...
,
Jacobs Hill
Jacobs Hill is a open space preserve in Royalston, Massachusetts acquired in 1975 by the land conservation non-profit organization The Trustees of Reservations. The preserve includes scenic vistas, ledges, woodlands, a northern bog, and Spirit Fa ...
, and
Royalston Falls
Royalston is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,250 at the 2020 census.
History
Royalston is a small town in the North Quabbin area of northwestern-central Massachusetts. It was named after Isaac ...
, and traverses the summit of
Tully Mountain
Tully Mountain, , is a prominent, steep-sided monadnock located in north central Massachusetts in the town of Orange. It is part of the Tully Mountain Wilderness Management Area. An exposed east facing ledge on the summit provides views of the ...
.
References
External links
Tully LakeU.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Tully Lake Park MapU.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Tully Lake CampgroundThe Trustees of Reservations
Campground mapThe Trustees of Reservations
Tully TrailThe Trustees of Reservations
Tully Trail mapThe Trustees of Reservations
Lakes of Worcester County, Massachusetts
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The Trustees of Reservations
Reservoirs in Massachusetts
Buildings and structures in Worcester County, Massachusetts
Sports in Worcester County, Massachusetts
Parks in Worcester County, Massachusetts
Royalston, Massachusetts
1949 establishments in Massachusetts
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