Early 1900s Reservoir Construction

Black and white photos of waterworks construction at Wachusett Reservoir, featuring rivers, landscapes, and early engineering activities in Massachusetts.

Wachusett Reservoir, clearing west bank of Nashua River, below Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Mar. 12, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, stripping in Oakdale mill pond, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Nov. 22, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, clearing west bank of Nashua River, below Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Mar. 12, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, clearing west bank of Nashua River, below Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Mar. 12, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Relocation Central Massachusetts Railroad, looking easterly, from station 81, Clinton, Mass., Nov. 12, 1902 , waterworks, railroads infrastructure, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, N. C. Hawkins' land, damage done by freshets, Lancaster, Mass., Apr. 15, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, Nehemiah W. Rice's lands, Newton, Mass., May 26, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, point south of Old Pepe's Cove, Section 1 (compare with Landscape Architects' photograph No. 1), Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 19, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Department, Wachusett-Sudbury power transmission line, regular 40-foot single and double poles, Wachusett Aqueduct, covered portion and Assabet Bridge, Northborough, Mass., Aug. 1, 1918 , waterworks, power lines, aqueducts, construction completed

Wachusett Department, Wachusett-Sudbury power transmission line, regular 40-foot single and double poles, Wachusett Aqueduct, covered portion and Assabet Bridge, Northborough, Mass., Aug. 1, 1918 , waterworks, power lines, aqueducts, construction completed

Wachusett Aqueduct, Little Crane Swamp, drainage ditch, station 0, H Line, Northborough, Mass., Mar. 19, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Porter Cove (compare with No. 2918), Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 21, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 4, looking southeasterly, excavating trench and cutting trees, Newton, Mass., Nov. 14, 1902 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, Snake Brook Meadow, Natick; Wayland, Mass., Nov. 3, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, brooks, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, supply pipe lines, Section 4, looking southeasterly, excavating trench and cutting trees, Newton, Mass., Nov. 14, 1902 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, beach at junction of Sections 1 and 2, Stoneham, Mass., Aug. 17, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Department, North Angellico Swamp, heavy timber, station 2, A Line, Southborough, Mass., Dec. 7, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, construction sites, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Reservoir, tree nursery on Flagg land, Boylston, Mass., Nov. 14, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, forestry, nurseries horticulture

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, spoil bank at easterly end of tunnel; Cochituate Aqueduct, ventilator in background, right, Newton, Mass., Jun. 29, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, riprap, eastern shore, Section 7, looking south, Stoneham, Mass., Jun. 26, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Line, Section 19, station 2+50, Reservoir Lane, Brookline, Mass., Jul. 22, 1898 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Sudbury Department, North Angellico Swamp improved, Southborough, Mass., Dec. 7, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, construction sites, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Line, Section 19, Reservoir Lane, station 7, Michael McGrady's land from the south, Brookline, Mass., May 2, 1898 , waterworks, aqueducts, roadways

Sudbury Department, North Angellico Swamp improved, Southborough, Mass., Dec. 7, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, construction sites, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Dam No. 9, Stoneham, Mass., Sep. 4, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, part of Section 1, trench from the east, on north side of trench, station 5+50, Brighton, Mass., Dec. 3, 1897 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Aqueduct, Open Channel, trench full of water, Section 11, station 481+, from the north, Marlborough, Mass., Aug. 3, 1897 , waterworks, aqueducts, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, eastern part, panoramic view of Spot Pond from the 'Island of the Two Trees', Stoneham, Mass., Aug. 17, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Pipe Lines, Section 12, surplus rock furnished to crusher of Metropolitan Park Commission, Medford, Mass., Jul. 24, 1902 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, excavation in rear of gate chamber, looking west, Stoneham, Mass., Jun. 1898 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Weston Aqueduct Supply Mains, Section 7, excavation at easterly end of tunnel; Cochituate Aqueduct, ventilator in background, center, Newton, Mass., Jun. 29, 1910 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Porter Cove (compare with No. 2741), Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 21, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, Snake Brook at Main Street, looking west, Natick, Mass., Oct. 26, 1906 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, brooks, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Reservoir, Shrewsbury Road, Section 2, west of station 172, Boylston, Mass., Jul. 9, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, roads

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, eastern part, from the south end of Dam No. 5, Stoneham, Mass., Nov. 29, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, general views, construction completed

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation of Worcester Street, west side of fill at station 3+, northerly, West Boylston, Mass., Aug. 26, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Dam, Wachusett Waste Channel, Clinton, Mass., Sep. 8, 1900 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, northerly shore near Worcester Street, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 29, 1905 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Aqueduct, Little Crane Swamp, drainage ditch, station 3+90, H Line, Northborough, Mass., Mar. 19, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, watershed sanitary improvement

Sudbury Department, Framingham Reservoir No. 3, shore improvement on south side, looking east, Framingham, Mass., Dec. 13, 1907 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, channel change on Mason and Thomas properties, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Apr. 10, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, river beds

Wachusett Department, Wachusett Aqueduct, water supply for Westborough State Hospital, extension of 12-inch suction pipe to Terminal Chamber; 'copy'; Westborough, through Northborough, to Marlborough, Marlborough, Mass., Nov. 1917 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, Bell's Mill Pond, before constructing drain, Framingham, Mass., Jul. 13, 1910 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, devastation by moths at Spot Pond Brook near Wyoming Avenue, Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 15, 1905 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, forestry, moths

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, site of northern part, from the south, Stoneham, Mass., Oct. 18, 1897 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, pre-construction site

Wachusett Department, Wachusett-Sudbury power transmission line, general view looking west along line from pole No. 24 near Boylston Road, Wachusett Aqueduct, tunnel section, Clinton, Mass., Aug. 1, 1918 , waterworks, power lines, aqueducts, construction completed

Wachusett Reservoir, Worcester Street relocation, site of West Boylston crossing, looking northwesterly, West Boylston, Mass., Oct. 17, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Porter Cove, Section 5, Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 21, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Porter Cove (compare with No. 2741), Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 21, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, open drains near county road, Natick, Mass., Oct. 10, 1911 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Dam, Wachusett Waste Channel, Clinton, Mass., Sep. 8, 1900 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Shrewsbury Road, Section 1, west of station 95, West Boylston, Mass., Jul. 9, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, roads

Wachusett Department, Wachusett-Sudbury power transmission line, general view looking west along line from pole No. 24 near Boylston Road, Wachusett Aqueduct, tunnel section, Clinton, Mass., Aug. 1, 1918 , waterworks, power lines, aqueducts, construction completed

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, Open Channel, land of Commonwealth near Speene Street, Framingham, Mass., Sep. 22, 1910 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, site of gate chamber, Stoneham, Mass., Sep. 20, 1898 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, filter-beds, bottom of bed, Sterling Junction, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 14, 1907 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Nellie and Peter Lego, Barnard Meadow, Greenwich, Mass., Nov. 17, 1937 : Parcel no. 349-17, Nellie A. Lego , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, real estate, meadows

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Line, Section 19, Reservoir Lane, station 7, Charles F. Webber's house and land, from the southwest, Brookline, Mass., May 2, 1898 , waterworks, aqueducts, roadways

Clinton Sewerage, furrows on Filter-bed No. 18, Lancaster, Mass., Nov. 16, 1899 , waterworks, sewage treatment, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Pipe Line, Section 19, station 14, Reservoir Lane, Brookline, Mass., Nov. 26, 1898 , waterworks, aqueducts, roadways

Distribution Department, Southern High Service Forbes Hill Reservoir, site of, looking west, towards proposed gate chamber, X315 Y250, Quincy, Mass., Jun. 27, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites, pre-construction site

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, southwest shore, from Mud Island (similar to Landscape Architects' photograph No. 17), Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 20, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Aqueduct, Crane Swamp improved, station 25, A Line, Northborough, Mass., Oct. 24, 1899 , waterworks, aqueducts, swamps, watershed sanitary improvement

Contract No. 17, West Portion, Wachusett-Coldbrook Tunnel, Rutland, Oakham, Barre, completed riprap for Boston and Albany Railroad, Shaft 8, Barre, Mass., Aug. 26, 1929

Sudbury Department, improvement of Lake Cochituate, Open Channel, Hamilton's land, Framingham, Mass., Oct. 10, 1911 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Pipe Lines, Section 41, laying 20-inch pipe, Mansur Street, West Roxbury, Mass., Oct. 9, 1911 , waterworks, pipes conduits, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation of brook east of Filter-beds Nos. 2 and 4, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 23, 1906 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Main Street, looking northerly, Stoneham, Mass., Oct. 4, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation Central Massachusetts Railroad, fill and cut southeast of station 196, Clinton, Mass., Feb. 6, 1903 , waterworks, railroads infrastructure, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Half Mile Road Extension, looking northerly by Ellen Dale Pond, Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 19, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Department, Sudbury Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant, plant for construction of surge tanks and wheel pits, Southborough, Mass., Jun. 30, 1915 , waterworks, hydroelectric power plants, construction sites

Wachusett Aqueduct, Little Crane Swamp, drainage ditch, station 9, G Line, Northborough, Mass., Oct. 26, 1899 , waterworks, aqueducts, swamps, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Reservoir, head of feeder ditch, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 23, 1906 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Sudbury Department, Framingham Reservoir No. 3, shore improvement and cut, Framingham, Mass., Dec. 13, 1907 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, disposal area at Dam No. 4, after clearing, Stoneham, Mass., Jun. 1898 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, relocation of brook east of Filter-beds Nos. 2 and 4, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 23, 1906 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Aqueduct, Little Crane Swamp, drainage ditch, station 25, F Line, Northborough, Mass., Mar. 19, 1902 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Reservoir, experiment tank and filter-bed, south side of road, looking near Sandy Pond, Clinton, Mass., Oct. 1, 1896 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Stillwater River, looking up toward new channel, Sterling, Mass., Sep. 2, 1905 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, river beds, construction sites

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Middlesex Fells Reservoir, west side of west basin, Stoneham, Mass., May 25, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Department, Wachusett-Sudbury power transmission line, special 40-foot double pole structure, span 442 feet, Wachusett Aqueduct, Open Channel crossing, Southborough, Mass., Aug. 1, 1918 , waterworks, power lines, aqueducts

Distribution Department, Northern High Service Bear Hill Reservoir and Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Reservoirs, from Bear Hill Observatory, Stoneham, Mass., Sep. 8, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, general views, construction completed

Wachusett Reservoir, Shrewsbury Road, east of station 153 (compare with No. 3360), Boylston, Mass., Dec. 19, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Sudbury Department, Brigg's Swamp, drainage ditches, station 0+50, B Line, Ashland, Mass., Dec. 6, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, construction sites, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Southern Extra High Service Bellevue Reservoir, looking northeast, site of roadway and grading, Bellevue Hill, West Roxbury, Mass., Aug. 4, 1914 , waterworks, water towers, construction sites, pre-construction site

Wachusett Department, Wachusett-Sudbury power transmission line, special 40-foot double pole structure, span 442 feet, Wachusett Aqueduct, Open Channel crossing, Southborough, Mass., Aug. 1, 1918 , waterworks, power lines, aqueducts

Relocation Central Massachusetts Railroad, rock cut, east of station 130, Clinton, Mass., Jun. 18, 1903 , waterworks, railroads infrastructure, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Quinapoxet River channel and dam, Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 29, 1905 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, river beds, construction sites

Wachusett Department, Clinton Sewerage filter-beds, showing wooden distributor, Clinton, Mass., Sep. 24, 1909 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Wachusett Reservoir, filter-beds, looking northeast, Sterling, Mass., Nov. 23, 1906 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, filter beds, watershed sanitary improvement

Sudbury Department, South Angellico Swamp, main ditch, station 3, Southborough, Mass., Dec. 7, 1899 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, swamps, construction sites, watershed sanitary improvement

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, mouth of upper inlet conduit, Section 6, Stoneham, Mass., Jun. 26, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Dam No. 10 and South Street, Stoneham, Mass., Sep. 4, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Stillwater River below new channel, looking down, Sterling, Mass., Sep. 2, 1905 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, river beds, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, South Street and Dam No. 8 road, Stoneham, Mass., Sep. 4, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Dam, stone yard, Clinton, Mass., Dec. 1, 1903 , waterworks, dams, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Stillwater River below new channel, looking down, Sterling, Mass., Sep. 2, 1905 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, river beds, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Dam No. 8, Stoneham, Mass., Sep. 4, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Reservoir, Road Contract No. 269, fill northwest of station 149, West Boylston, Mass., Sep. 9, 1903 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Distribution Department, Low Service Spot Pond Reservoir, Mud and Great Islands, Stoneham, Mass., Jul. 20, 1900 , waterworks, reservoirs water distribution structures, construction sites

Wachusett Aqueduct, Crane Swamp, drainage ditch, T Line, Northborough, Mass., Oct. 24, 1899 , waterworks, aqueducts, swamps, watershed sanitary improvement

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